653 
.U5 
Copy 1 



UNITED STATES COUNCIL OF NATIONAL DEFENSE 
RECONSTRUCTION RESEARCH DIVISION 

HERBERT N. SHENTON, Chief 



Readjustment and Reconstruction 
Information 



READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION 
ACTIVITIES IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES 




WASHINGTON, D. C. 
May 1, 1919 



£3) 



WASHINGTON .' QOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE! 1919 




Glass ,\j ■■'■ . 

Book .±LJl 



Vv 



UNITED STATES COUNCIL OF NATIONAL DEFENSE 

RECONSTRUCTION RESEARCH DIVISION 

HERBERT N. SHENTON, Chief 



Readjustment and Reconstruction 
Information 






READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION 
ACTIVITIES IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES 




WASHINGTON, D. C. 
May 1, 1919 



WASHINGTON : GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE : 1919 



p* «* ?* 

Ml 39 1919 






LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL. 

Council of National Defense, 

Washington, May 1, 1919. 
The Hon. Newton D. Baker, 

Secretary of War and Chairman 

of the Council of National Defense. 
My dear Mr. Secretary : 

Sir: This report, prepared by the Reconstruction Research Divi- 
sion, of which Herbert N. Shenton is chief, contains extracts from 
and digests of articles concerning readjustment and reconstruction 
activities in foreign countries which have appeared in recent pub- 
lications. The material selected consists, mainly, of accounts of 
governmental activities in the organization and administration of 
readjustment and reconstruction work and of similar activities of 
important national industrial, commercial, and welfare organiza- 
tions. In making this selection the following publications were 
consulted : 

Commerce Reports, Daily, August 1, 1918, to April 16, 1919. Pub- 
lished by the Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce, United 
States Department of Commerce. 

Other United States official publications. 

Board of Trade Journal, Weekly, October 10, 1918, to February 
13, 1919. Published by the British Board of Trade. 

The Bulletin of the Federation of British Industries, Weekly, 
November 21, 1918, and January 2 and 16, 1919. 

British Labor Gazette, Monthly, November, 1918, to January, 1919. 

Italy Today, Fortnightly, vol. 1, Nos. 1 to 8. 

Reviews of the foreign press, published by foreign Governments. 

American newspapers and other periodicals, of which an extensive 
clipping file on the general subject of readjustment and reconstruc- 
tion is maintained in the office of the Council. 

In arranging the items for each of the countries, no attempt has 
been made to bring related subjects together, the items being ar- 
ranged in chronological order according, to the dates of publication 
of the sources consulted. 

The information given is necessarily incomplete and fragmentary, 
but it is believed that all the important readjustment and reconstruc- 
tion activities in foreign countries, at least those which have occurred 
since the date of the signing of the armistice, were mentioned in the 
-sources used in the preparation of this report. 



4 LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL,. 

Although the utmost effort has been made to check the actuality 
of the reported activities in enemy countries, the limited facilities 
for verification have restricted the possibilities of these efforts. It 
is possible that some of the statements to which reference 'is here 
made were issued primarily as propaganda. However, even if this 
be the case, the statements have been issued and the issued statements 
are themselves active factors which can not be ignored. 

The digests of the various reported activities, although they are 
put in the declarative form and are not regularly preceded by some 
such phrase as " it is reported," are to be considered merely as digests 
and not as statements of the Council of National Defense. 
Faithfully yours, 

Grosvenor B. Clarkson, 
Director of the Council of National Defense. 



CONTENTS. 



Alsace- Lor aine 

Argentina 

Australia 

Austria-Hungary 

Belgium 

Brazil 

Bulgaria 

Canada 

Chile 

China . 

Czechoslovakia 

Denmark 

European Countries-. 

Finland 

Finland and Sweden. 

France 

German- Austria 

Germany 

Greece 

Hungary !__. 

India 

International 

Italy 

Index 



Page. 
7 
8 
8 
14 
16 
19 
19 
20 
30 
31 
32 
33 
34 
34 
34 
35 
54 
55 
79 
80 
83 
83 
86 



Japan 101 

Mexico 102 

Montenegro 104 

Netherlands 104 

New Zealand 107 

Norway 108 

Panama Canal 109 

Pan America 109 

Peru 110 

Poland 110 

Portugal 111 

Russia 112 

Russia-Siberia 115 

Scandanavian Countries 116 

Siberia 117 

South Africa 117 

Spain 118 

Straits Settlements 119 

Sweden 120 

Switzerland 120 

Turkey 121 

United Kingdom 122 

Uruguay 170 

173 



EXTRACTS FROM AND DIGESTS OF ARTICLES IN OFFICIAL AND 

PRIVATE PERIODICALS CONCERNING READJUSTMENT AND 

RECONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES. 



ALSACE-LORRAINE. 

Civil Government under French Administration. 

According to a decree of November 28, 1918, Alsace-Lorraine will 
be administered as follows : 

Until the signing of peace, civil government remains under the 
direct authoritjr of the secretary of the council of the war ministry, 
who, in so far as he may judge fit, shall delegate it to the under 
secretary of state. 

A representative of each ministerial department (and, if neces- 
sary, in each ministerial department, a representative of each im- 
portant public service) is temporarily appointed for the purpose 
of coordinating and controlling throughout the recovered territories 
of Alsace and Lorraine the operation of the services of the minis- 
terial department which he represents ; to provide for proper connec- 
tion with the services of that department and to study the condi- 
tions of final administrative organization after the signing of peace. 

A Chief Council of Alsace-Lorraine will assist the under secre- 
tary of state, who is by right its president. It will be composed of 
the president and vice president of the Alsace-Lorraine Conference 
and the presidents of the six sections appointed by the decision of 
August 22, 1917, for the purpose of examining and studying the con- 
ditions of Alsace-Lorraine. — [Temps, Nov. 28, 1918.] 

Economic, Political, and Social Problems. 

The economic, political, and social problems involved in the resto- 
ration of Alsace-Lorraine to France have formed the subject of a 
recent meeting of the Societe d'Economie Politique de Paris. The 
paper read before that society November 5, 1918, deals with the solu- 
tion of the problems of citizenship and property, and those involved 
in the general adjustment of the economic life of the restored prov- 
inces to France. — [Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept, of Commerce, 
Jan. 21, 1919, p. 321.] 



8 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. 

Potash Output Needed for France. 

The United States War Trade Board lias announced that France 
will be unable, at least until April, to ship potash from the mines 
of Alsace. The entire output will be urgently required for agricul- 
tural purposes in France. Under the most favorable circumstances 
no Alsatian potash will be available for agricultural uses in the 
United States before June, 1919. — [Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. 
of Commerce, Jan. 25, 1919, p. 385.] 

ARGENTINA. 

Agricultural and Live-stock Development. 

A large banking and investment company has been engaged in 
Argentina by the Swift packing-house interests which promises to 
take an active part in the agricultural and live-stock development 
of the country. It will engage to a great extent in the financing of 
cattlemen along the line of the cattle-loan companies in the United 
States. — [Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Sept. ¥2. 
1918, p. 971.] 

Shipbuilding, Encouragment of. 

On August 31, 1918, the President of Argentina submitted to Con- 
gress a project of law relative to the encouragement of shipbuilding, 
in order to augment the mercantile marine of that nation. — [Com- 
merce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Nov. 8, 1918, p. 530.] 

AUSTRALIA. 

Disabled Soldiers, State Help for. 

Amended regulations issued under the Australian soldiers' repa- 
triation act provide that a State board shall not grant loans for a 
longer period than 10 years. Where a borrower who has obtained a 
loan from the Government is unable to repay the amount due from 
him, a State board may write off the whole or any portion of the 
amount, but if the sum exceeds 100 pounds, it must be referred to the 
minister of repatriation for determination. Where soldiers with de- 
pendents are under treatment in hospitals, or institutions after dis- 
charge, they or their dependents may be given sustenance granted at a 
rate which will bring their incomes up to rates presented in regula- 
tions, which rates vary from 2 pounds 2 shillings to 3 pounds 2 shill- 
ings and 6 pence. Where it is necessary for the establishment in 
civil life of a returned soldier, a State board may make a loan up to 35 
pounds for the purchase of furniture. In case where a soldier has 
land, but is not eligible to receive financial assistance under a State 
settlement scheme, a State board may advance by way of a loan 
amounts up to 50 pounds for the purchase of material, plants, and 
seeds. — [Argus, Melbourne, July 5, 1918.] 



AUSTRALIA. 9 

Discharged Soldiers, Land for. 

In Victoria a number of properties have been purchased and nego- 
tiations for other purchases are in progress, according to announce- 
ments by the minister of lands, for soldier settlers. A visitor to some 
of the soldier settlers reported that they appear to be contented and 
to be making a success of their rural life. — [Argus, Melbourne, July 
6, 1918.] 

Returned Soldiers' Political Federation. 

The returned soldiers' political federation has been formed by the 
affiliation of the soldiers' political parties in Victoria, New South 
Wales, and Queensland. The general secretary said the platform 
provided for voluntary reinforcements, destruction of pro-German- 
ism and disloyalty, elimination of exploitation, solution of war and 
repatriation problems, construction of mercantile marine, strategic 
railways, and of numerous air fleets, supplemented by adequate 
naval and military measures, electoral reform, elimination of party 
strife, restriction of borrowing, legislation to deal with menaces to 
public health, and other planks. The federation could not affiliate 
with existing political parties, but would cooperate with them to 
achieve common aims. — [Courier, Ballarat, July 6, 1918.] 

Soldiers' Widows, Assistance for. 

The minister of repatriation stated that soldiers' widows are now 
eligible, according to their circumstances, to receive grants for 
furniture, loans for the purchase of business establishments, assist- 
ance towards the transfer of onerous mortgages on homes, rental al- 
lowances, vocational training with sustenance during the period of 
training, and allowances for the care and education of children. 
These benefits are not bestowed indiscriminately, but with proper 
regard to the necessities of the individual. — [Argus, Melbourne, 
July 11, 1918.1 

Land Settlement, Advances for. 

The South Australian system makes advances to soldiers up to 600 
pounds for purchasing residences. This grant is withheld to unmar- 
ried men and to those with an income of 300 pounds per annum. 
Where land is bought with a view to building, it is stipulated that 
not more than 100 pounds can be paid for the site. — [Argus, Mel- 
bourne, July 12, 1918.] 

Discharged Soldiers, Land for. 

The minister for lands of New South Wales said that he would 
deal with the scheme for settling soldiers on the land on the principle 
of giving to each man an area sufficient to provide a living for 
himself and his family. — [Daily Telegraph, Sydney, July 13, 1918.] 



10 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. 

Vocational Training. 

The vocations chosen by returned soldiers who have received voca- 
tional training in Victoria include clerical work, French polishing, 
artificial limb making, poultry farming, cabinet making, book shiv- 
ing, fruit growing, picture operating, and wool pressing. — [Argus, 
Melbourne, July 19, 1918.] 

Approval was given July 23, 1918, to a scheme for carrying on 
vocational training for partly incapacitated soldiers at State insti- 
tutions. The scheme provides for the continuous training of at least 
2,000 men at the 22 technical schools. — [Argus, Melbourne, July 24, 
1918.] 

Children of Fallen Soldiers, Scholarships for. 

The education department's circular for August announces that 10 
places in two educational institutions will be reserved annually for 
children of fallen and disabled soldiers. — [West Australian. Aug. 
9, 1918.] 

Community Settlement Plan for the Subnormal. 

The Commonwealth ministry of repatriation proposes to establish 
community settlements where partially incapacitated men may be 
employed with advantage to themselves in industries suited to their 
capacity. It is expected that the majority of the dwellers in. the set- 
tlements will be engaged in the national workshops, but provision 
will also be made for their employment in rural and other industries. 
Each settlement will consist of a workshop with housing accommoda- 
tions for 100 workers and social accessories, such as hall, school, and 
church. The settlements will also contain the convalescent homes in- 
stituted by the ministry. The area of each settlement will be about 
500 acres.— [Argus, Aug. 29, 1918,] 

Returned Soldiers, Employment of. 

The department of repatriation has called attention to the returned 
soldiers, with varying trades, who are registered for employment, and 
has requested employers requiring their services to communicate with 
the department. — [West Australian, Aug. 31, 1918.] 

Proposed Aerial Service Between Australia and London. 

A company has been formed in Australia for the purpose of devel- 
oping an aerial route for mail and passenger service between Aus- 
tralia and London. The purpose of the company is to explore the 
proposed route for landing sites which are to be approximately 300 
miles apart. After the completion of the survey it is proposed to 
finance a company in London to operate the aerial service to Aus- 
tralia, which contemplates a complete journey in 150 hours between 
London and Sydney. — [Report of U. S. consul, Adelaide, Dec. 3, 
1918, Commerce Eeports, U. S. Dept, of Commerce, Feb. 5, 1919, 
p. 561.] 



AUSTRALIA. 1 1 

Unemployment Insurance. 

An employment measure has just been passed which is still in a 
tentative state, and provides, in general, that a fund shall be created 
for each separate industry by contributions from employees and em- 
ployers, plus a Government subsidy. Thus a number of funds will be 
created and not one big national fund. In any industry in New South 
Wales the Government can form an industrial council which creates 
the fund which is called " an equalization of wages fund." The State 
can thus double this fund. The Government provides the chairman 
for this committee and the committee represents employers and em- 
ployees, while the Government administers the fund. — [Interview 
with the minister of New South Wales. U. S. Employment Service 
Bulletin, Jan. 24, 1919, p. 2.] 

Government Settlement Plan. 

Large tracts of public or purchased lands in New South Wales are 
subdivided for settlement purposes. The subdivisions are purchased 
by the settlers on a 33-year loan on easy terms. After a large tract is 
divided into community settlements, there is often a Government ex- 
periment farm located in the center, where a man in charge acts as 
adviser. Most of the farming is grains and fruits, also pig and 
poultry raising.— [Interview with the minister of New South Wales, 
U. S. Employment Service Bulletin, Jan. 24, 1919, p. 2.] 

Land-Settlement Act, 1916. 

Soldier settlement act, 1916, 7. George V, places the provisions of 
the act under the administration of the land board and land settle- 
ment advisory commission of South Australia. Advances up to $2,400 
will be made, repayable in 21 years, at an interest rate of 4 per. cent; 
$220,000 has been appropriated and 10,000 acres have been purchased 
at $22 per acre. Settlers will be given a perpetual lease. Training 
will be given on farms comprising similar land. By provisions of the 
act the board is also empowered to make advances for improvements, 
equipment, stock, and seed. It may also purchase land worth 
$1,500,000 per year. It is desirable that applicants have some cap- 
ital. — ["Work and Homes for Our Fighting Men," Reclamation 
Service, U. S. Dept. of the Interior, 1919, pp. 20, 21.] 

Soldier-Settlement Plans. 

Discharged soldiers' settlement act, October 22, 1917, provides for 
soldier settlements. Provisions of the act will be administered by the 
Victoria land purchase and management board and State water com- 
mission. Advances up to 70 per cent of value of improvements, with 
maximum of $2,500 will be made, repayable in 31^ years. Interest 
at 6 per cent is charged. An appropriation of $11,250,000 has been 
made for this purpose. Irrigated lands in Victoria are to be opened 



12 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. 

in settlements and 500,000 acres for wheat growing. Settlers may 
purchase their holdings in 31J years by depositing 3 per cent of the 
capital value and making 6 per cent annual payments, principal and 
interest thereafter. Previous agricultural experience is required 
before taking lands. Applicants should have at least $1,500 capital. — 
["Work and Homes for Our Fighting Men," Reclamation Service. 
U. S. Dept. of the Interior, 1919, pp. 20, 21.] 

Returned soldiers' settlement act No. 21, 1916. amended 1917, of 
New South Wales, provides for soldier settlements under the admin- 
istration of the minister for lands. By its provisions an advance up 
to $2,500 on improvements is made to soldier settlers. Interest at 
2-| per cent of capital value is charged. About 1.500,000 acres have 
been acquired on which settlers will be given a perpetual lease at 2-| 
per cent on the capital value besides water rent. Settlers must have 
six months agricultural experience, and education will be provided. 
Already there are 500 men on holdings, the average size grant being 
50 acres. It is desirable that applicants have from $250 to $500 
capital. — ["Work and Homes for Our Fighting Men," Reclamation 
Service, U. S. Dept. of the Interior, 1919, pp. 20', 21.] 

Discharged soldiers' settlement act, 1917, provides for soldier set- 
tlements. The provisions of the act will, in Queensland, be admin- 
istered by the minister for lands and land court. Buildings to the 
amount of $2,500 will be built on each farm and $3,500 worth of 
equipment furnished, payment for which can be made in anywhere 
from 10 to 40 years. Interest at from H to 5 per cent will be charged, 
according to length of the loan. The sum of $50,000 for administra- 
tion expenses has been provided. Sixty thousand acres of Crown 
lands have been set aside and 500,000 acres acquired by agreement or 
compulsorily. Settlers will be given a perpetual lease only, no fee 
simple title. Training farms will be established. Applications for 
farms can be made by relatives of soldiers, and terms can await their 
return. — ["Work and Homes for Our Fighting Men," Reclamation 
Service, U. S. Dept. of the Interior, 1919, pp. 20, 21.] 

Returned soldiers' settlement act, 1916. 7, George V. 20, provides 
for soldier settlements. Administration of provisions of the act in 
Tasmania will be under the minister of lands. Advances up to $2,500 
are made to soldiers, to be repaid in 21 years, no payment the first 
year. Three and one-half to 5 per cent interest is charged. An ap- 
propriation of $750,000 has been made for this purpose. A grant of 
100 acres will be made each settler on a 99-year lease or purchase after 
10 years. Experience is necessary, and training may be obtained at 
State farms. There will be no taxes for four years, and loans may 
be made for clearing, fencing, drains, equipment, and seed. — [" Work 
and Homes for Our Fighting Men," Reclamation Service, U. S. Dept. 
of the Interior, 1919, pp. 20, 21.] 



13 

AUSTRALIA. 



At a conference in 1917 of Federal and State autl onUes a b° a id 
consisting of the minister from each State was appointed to work out 
nZs for advancing money to soldiers desiring to settle on Govern- 
ment lands One hundred million dollars was appropriated for the 
p^ of buying land and making loans to «^.^^ 
culars were sent out to soldiers and it was found that 40,00 soldiers 
wanted land. At the time circular was sent out there were 300 000 
Told"" Work and Homes for Our Fating Men," Reclamation 
Service, U. S. Dept, of the Interior, 1919, pp. 20, 21.] 

Government Factories. .jfcj-i'ai 

The Commonwealth of Australia owns and operates five factories 
-clothing, cordite, harness and saddlery, woolen-fabr.es and small- 
* The report of the small-arms factory has not yet been 
SS5 the'total output of the other four factories from the date 
of their opening to June 30, 1918, has amounted to $13 997^25 The 
tot 1 cost P of operating these factories since their <***%£ has 
been $13,786,075, which includes depreciation of plant and bmldings, 
and interest on capital investment amounting » * 2 ,392,9o0 The 
operation of the factories was recently investigated by a royal com- 
mission, which congratulated the defense department upon the effi- 
dencv of the works, particularly the woolen-fabrics factory, which 
supplied the Government with materials said by the commission 
o be superior to goods supplied by outside contractors. ew*- 
fabrics and clothing factories have not only fully supplied the Aus- 
tralian troops at home and abroad, and the employees of the post- 
ma tor gen-al's department, but have provided returning soldier 
with civilian clothes at a cost, for pure wool, no h g"^ 
formerly prevailing for cotton and shoddy garmen ts._ [Commerce 
Eeport, TJ. S. Dept. of Commerce, Mar. 12, 1919, p. 1166.] 
Unemployment. „ 

To take care of unemployed returned soldiers, the Federal Gov- 
ernment of Australia has appropriated $2,500,000 to construct pub- 
lic works pending completion of a larger scheme ^V^^^ 
home-coming Anzacs, along permanent lmes.-[The Public, *ew 
York, N. Y., Mar. 22, 1919, p. 310.] 
Vocational Training for Soldiers. 

The Australian cabinet has approved a plan for the expenditure 
of $6 500,000 in the extension of vocational training to returning 
soldiers who were under 20 years of age at the time of enhstment.- 
[The Public, New York, N. Y., Mar. 29, 1919, p. 331.] 
Shorter Hours Urged as Means of Solving Unemployment Problem. 

As a means of solving the unemployment problem, the trades hall 
council of Melbourne have inaugurated a movement for the estab- 
lishment of a 44-hour week in all industries in Australia. They 



14 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. 

point out that the increased productivity during the war. the stop- 
page of work since the signing of the armistice, and the demobiliza- 
tion of soldiers have increased the unemployment problem. — [Amer- 
ican, New York, N. Y., Apr. 14, 1919.] 

Government Training Returned Soldiers. 

The State of New South Wales will bear the cost of training re- 
turned soldiers for the government railway workshops. The step 
will be taken in order to replace men who are leaving the shops 
through natural causes, and also to meet contemplated extensions of 
the railway. — [Republican, Springfield, Mass., Apr. 22, 1919.] 
Public Works Construction. 

A bistate scheme of public works construction, involving an ex- 
penditure of nearly $12,500,000 and offering ample employment to 
returned Anzacs, has been approved b} T a joint commission from the 
States of Victoria and New South Wales. — [Republican, Springfield, 
Mass.. Apr. 29, 1919.] 
Aerial Service. 

A company called Aircraft (Ltd.) has been organized for the 
purpose of establishing an interstate air service which expects to 
begin operations in the course of 9 or 10 months. Regular aerial 
service, charging 2| pence per mile, will be operated between the 
capital cities of the Commonwealth. The planes will probably carry 
20 passengers each and maintain a speed of 100 miles an hour. It is 
thought that a commercial air service could profitably carry goods 
at the rate of 1 shilling per ton per mile. This service would be 
especially useful in convejdng garden produce and similar perish- 
able goods. — [Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, May 5, 
1919, p. 676.] 

AUSTRIA-HUNGARY. 

[See also German-Austria and Hungary.] 
Collieries, Public Ownership of. 

An appendix to the mining law, which will shortly come into- 
force, has for its object the giving to the central Government, the 
provincial administrations, and the municipalities, facilities for 
producing coal on their own account sufficient to cover their own 
consumption. — [Neue Freie Presse, Mar. 19, 1918.] 
Transition Organization. 

In March, 1917, a general committee for war and transition 
economy was attached to the ministry of commerce. It is chiefly 
concerned with the Austro-Hungarian commercial and shipping 
policy in the transition period. The commissioner general for war 
and transition economy has published a pamphlet on the tasks and 
fundamental questions of transition economy, from which it becomes 



AUSTRIA-HUNGARY. 15 

evident that a certain amount of Government regulation will have 
to continue for some time after the war, in order to avoid certain 
grave evils and inflation of prices. — [Hansa, 1918.] 
Transition Economy, Ministerial Commission for. 

The dissolution of the Austrian ministry for transition economy 
has been completed. The Government has ordered the creation of 
a ministerial transition economy commission to prepare and ac- 
celerate the agenda of transition economy. A central committee has 
also been formed to deal with matters connected with import, ex- 
port, and transit trade. — [Wirtschaftszeitung der Zentralmachte, 
July 12, 1918.] 
Transition Economy, Committee of Private Organization to Deal with. 

The imperial union of German industrial associations has com- 
bined with the imperial handicrafts council, the German- Austrian 
industrial association, the central association of economic coopera- 
tive societies, and the chief industrial associations of employees in 
forming an industrial central committee which is to take over the 
functions of the war economic association for industries, and is to 
be considered as the general representative of industries as regards 
legislation and administration. — [Wirtschaftszeitung der Zentral- 
machte, Aug. 23, 1918.] 
War Material, Utilization and Release of. 

In order to supply the necessary organization for the utilization 
of war material three departments have been formed : The " war 
material utilization office" in the Austro-Hungarian war ministry, 
the "common distribution committee" (gemeinsame verteilungsaus- 
schuss), and the "special committee for the release of war ma- 
terials." 

The first department decides what war material is to be retained 
for military purposes and what material is to be released for civilian 
use, the second manages the apportionment of the released material 
between Austria-Hungary and Bosnia, and the third has to see to 
the reemployment of the released material. 

Special " utilization companies " are to form the superstructure of 
the organization. — [Wirtschaftsdienst, Aug. 30, 1918.] 

Consumptive ex-Soldiers, Treatment of. 

The Austrian ministry for national health has announced an 
arrangement according to which consumptive war-disabled soldiers 
will be handed over to the civil authorities. These will place them 
either in convalescent homes or with private families where the liv- 
ing conditions are suitable. The patients will be taught some craft, 
and eventually suitable places will be found for them. Those placed 
in private families will be under the care of Government doctors, and 
the families will be paid for their board and lodging.— [Neue Freie 
Presse, Sept. 8, 1918.] 



16 FOKEIGN KEADJUSTMEISTT AND KECONSTRUCTIOlSr. 

War-Disabled Men, Technical Assistance for. 

An association was formed in Austria four years ago known as the 
association for providing technical assistance for the war disabled. — 
[Neue Freie Presse, Sept. 17, 1918.] 
Reconstruction Conference, Ministerial. 

Early in September, 1918, a reconstruction conference was held at 
the ministry of public works in Vienna, attended by representatives 
of all the ministries and by the leaders of the sections of the recon- 
struction central. Various measures were issued to hasten the speedy 
building of dwellings and of providing the necessary materials for 
the devastated section of Galicia and to secure a supply of seed and 
corn. — [Nova-Eeforma, Sept. 17, 1918.] 

BELGIUM. 

Reconstruction. 

A number of Belgian manufacturers and traders whose business 
establishments are in Paris, London, and The Hague propose to form 
a purchasing body intended to insure a supply of tools and stock 
for Belgian industries and trade during the transition period, with 
the assistance of the Government. It is a cooperative society, en- 
titled " Comptoir National pour l'Activite Economique en Bel- 
gique." — [Informations Beiges, Apr. 19, 1918.] 

Reconstruction, Industrial and Agricultural. 

An Interallied Commission for the Industrial and Agricultural Re- 
construction of Belgium has been sitting for some time and has been 
dealing with the practical side of the reconstruction of Belgium. Its 
main center of activity is London. — [Commerce Reports, U. S'. Dept. 
of Commerce, Dec. 7, 1918, p. 920.] 

Import Licenses. 

Licenses for the importation of foodstuffs, clothing, textiles, and 
tobacco are issued by the ministry of industry, labor, and revictualiz- 
ing. Licenses for importation of all other commodities (except cer- 
tain foods and fats which require no licenses) are issued by the min- 
ister of economic affairs. — [U. S. War Trade Board Ruling 488, Com- 
merce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Jan. 9, 1919, p. 114.] 

Preparing for Resumption of Trade. 

The Belgian Government has taken steps in the direction of the 
reconstruction of trade and industry. Among the measures adopted 
is the immediate granting of ample credits to business concerns 
which have suffered from fires, without their having to wait for the 
effect of the war indemnity, which has still to be legally fixed. They 
are only to be granted to business concerns whose activities are m 
the interest of the general community, which are of Belgian nation- 
ality, and can show that they are actually and directly needed. 



BELGIUM. 1 7 

President Wilson, in his message to Congress, said that an indemnity 
in money was insufficient, and that Belgium must not be left to her 
own resources in the general struggle for raw materials and tools. 
Belgian manufacturers interpret this as meaning that Germany 
will have to pay an indemnity not only in money but in materials. 
Belgium is already endeavoring to resume and develop her commer- 
cial relations with the Argentine. It is intended to take Germany's 
place as an importer to that country and to encourage especially the 
export to Belgium of raw materials and foodstuffs from the Argen- 
tine. — [Wirtschaftsdienst, Jan. 10, 1919.] 

Export and Import Control. 

In accord with a royal decree of November 8, a comite des ex- 
portation et importations is to act in an advisory capacity to the 
minister of economic affairs in controlling imports, exports, and 
goods in transit. — [Official U. S. Bulletin, Jan. 14, 1919.] 
Repatriation. 

The first consignment of Belgian refugees seeking shelter in Eng- 
land and Scotland has been returned to Antwerp. Those living in 
other parts of Belgium will be sent as soon as they can be received. 
The repatriation is at the expense of the British Government. — 
[Star, Washington, D. C, Jan, 14, 1919.] 

Railroad Equipment Loan. 

Belgium has asked the United States for a loan of 400 locomotives 
and 2,000 passenger cars in addition to the return of all the Belgian 
locomotives placed at the disposal of the American Expeditionary 
Forces.— [Official U. S. Bulletin, Feb. 7, 1919 ; Wall Street Journal, 
New York, N. Y., Feb. 8, 1919.] 

Credit for Manufacturing to Reduce Unemployment. 

The Belgian Government has asked the Allied Powers for credit 
with which to recommence manufacturing and alleviate unemploy- 
ment.— [Post, Washington, D. C, Feb. 11, 1919.] 
Import Restrictions Removed. 

Many restrictions on Belgian imports have been removed. The 
remaining exceptions are cereals, sugar, tobacco, wines, spirits, malt, 
and coal.— [Official U. S. Bulletin, Feb. 13, 1919.] 
Exports. 

According to an official Belgian statement, all exports from that 
country are prohibited except under license. — [Official TJ. S. Bulletin, 
Feb. 14. 1919.] 

Belgian Indemnity Investigation. 

The Peace Conference appointed, on February 15, a special com- 
mittee to study the claims of Belgium for indemnit} 7 . This com- 
115488—19 2 



18 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. 

mittee will consult with the Belgian commission in possession of 
figures as to Belgium's loss.— [Sun, New York, N. Y., Feb. 16, 1919.] 
Finances. 

London bankers are said to be anxious to invest heavily in financing 
Belgium's renascent industries. Nevertheless, the Belgian financial 
institutions have taken steps to establish a large credit in the United 
States; $100,000,000 is being asked for and a first advance of $50,- 
000,000 actually being prepared by American bankers, for it is here 
that raw materials and machinery for the upbuilding of the Belgian 
industries will largely have to be bought, This credit, it is expressly 
stated, has nothing to do with so-called " rehabilitation financing " 
and is on a purely business basis, as beneficial to American in- 
dustry as it is to the Belgian. Neither the United States nor the 
Belgian Government is directly concerned in the transactions, 
though both, of course, have to consent to them and are interested 
in so important an operation. — [The Survey, New York, N. Y.. 
Mar. 1, 1919, p. 795.] 

Conflict in Handling Reconstruction. 

Miss A. Ruth Fry, in charge of the London committee of the 
Friends' War Victims Relief Committee, in a recent speech revealed 
many facts as to how Belgium is attempting to handle her reconstruc- 
tion problem. Miss Fry's speech may be summarized as follows: 
Belgium for many years has been divided by race — the Walloons and 
the Flemish. In recent years there has been considerable strife be- 
tween the Catholics and the Socialists which, if anything, has been 
increased in intensity by the events of the war. There is now added 
a new factor of misunderstanding — the emigres and the non emigres, 
those who fled before the invader and those who remained through 
all the hardships. In Paris, under the wings of the Allies, a com- 
mittee of Belgians have been working and planning for the re- 
construction of the country. At the same time other committees 
have been evolving their own plans under the shadow of the invader. 
Neither of these two groups knew of the existence of the other until 
after the armistice. Therefore, when the chairman of the Paris com- 
mittee went to Brussels he found himself and his work unknown, 
and his plans did not harmonize in all particulars with those who had 
remained at home. He also found that three ministries of the Bel- 
gian Government were each separately concerned in directing this 
work — the ministry of the interior, the ministry of public works, and 
the ministry of economic reconstruction. To-day Belgian relief is a 
mixture of stagnation and luxury. Food is scarce and prices are 
high, yet luxuries are plentiful as compared to necessities. The Bel- 
gian Government is anxious to assume control of its own relief work 
and has even seemed ungrateful in its refusal of offers of relief. — 
[The Survey, New York, N. Y., Apr. 5, 1919, p. 50.] 



BULGARIA. 19 

BRAZIL. 

Protection of Allied Trade. 

The Portuguese, French, and Italian Chambers of Commerce in 
Brazil have decided to request their respective Governments to dis- 
charge from the army those individuals who as managers, directors, 
etc., of large concerns might be able to contribute toward the exten- 
sion of the influence of the Allies in Brazil, in order to counteract 
the influence of Germany, which is purposing to regain Brazilian 
trade after the war. — [Norddeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung, May 21, 
1918.] 
Domestic Agricultural Production. 

Since the entrance of Brazil into the war, great efforts have been 
made to increase domestic production of agricultural crops, in order 
to avoid using tonnage in importing commodities which might be 
produced in Brazil and to assist the Allied Nations in making up the 
shortage of food and other essential war supplies. — [Commerce Re- 
ports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Aug. 28, 1918, p. 788.] 
Industries Stimulated by War Conditions. 

The Brazilian minister of foreign affairs has requested the gov- 
ernors of the several States to report upon the economic situation of 
the districts under their jurisdiction, especially with regard to the 
establishment of new industrial plants since the beginning of the 
European War. These reports are published in detail as received. — 
[Commerce Eeports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Oct. 19, 1918, p. 262.] 

Coffee. 

Over 500,000 bags of coffee are ready for shipment to the United 
States, requiring 10 steamers during the next six weeks. — [Report of 
U. S. commercial attache, Jan. 12, 1919, Commerce Reports, U. S. 
Dept. of Commerce, Jan. 28, 1919, p. 417.] 
Japanese Colonization and Development. 

By a decree issued December 11, 1918, the Vice President of 
Brazil has authorized all Japanese international development to 
continue to operate in Brazil. A commission has been organized to 
engage in immigration and colonization projects, and related mari- 
time, industrial, and mineral industries. Its capital stock is about 
$4,500,000. — [Report of U. S. vice consul, Rio. de Janeiro, Dec. 14, 
1918, Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Feb. 14, 1919, 
p. 735.] 

BULGARIA. 
Transition Economy. 

Preparations are to be made for the organization of transition 
economy in Bulgaria by the creation of an autonomous bureau in the 
ministry of trade. To this bureau will be intrusted the task of or- 
ganizing the economic life of the country during the transition 



20 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. 

period immediately following the war, and of working out a plan 
for the commercial treaties to be concluded with foreign nations. — 
[Der Welthandel, Aug. 16, 1918.] 
Economic Conditions, Report of. 

A report has been issued by the director general of alimentation, 
who has recently made a tour of the country to ascertain actual con- 
ditions. — [Commerce Eeports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Nov. 14. 
1918, p. 621.] 

CANADA. 

Discharged Soldiers in Search of Land, Reduced Fares for. 

An agreement has been made between the soldiers' settlement board 
and the Canadian railways, by which returned soldiers who are in 
search of land may obtain vouchers permitting them to travel at 
the rate of 1 cent a mile. Each application for a voucher for the 
reduced fare must be accompanied by a certified copy of the original 
discharge certificate of the soldier. — [Morning Bulletin, Edmonton 
and Alberta, July 24, 1918.] 

Disabled Soldiers, Treatment, Reeducation, and Employment of. 

The work that Canada has done and is doing for her disabled sol- 
diers in the way of hospital treatment and reeducation is fully set 
forth in a live-reel serial produced by the department of soldiers 
civil reestablishment, entitled " Canada's Work for Wounded Sol- 
diers." It will be exhibited in theaters throughout Canada. The 
film shows every phase of the work from the deck of the hospital 
ship in a Canadian port, to the shop, office, or farm where the re- 
turned soldier is working after having been educated at -Government 
expense. The film took eight months to complete. — [Morning Al- 
bertain, Calgary, Aug. 28, 1918.] 

Disabled Soldiers, Reeducation of. 

An order-in-council passed in July, 1916, empowers the invalid 
soldiers commission of the department for civil reestablishment to 
grant reeducational courses to discharged soldiers who, as a result of 
their disability received in service, are unable to carry on their 
former occupations. These courses extend over a period of from 
3 to 12 months and are given in schools and colleges equipped and 
staffed by the men, and in factories and industries whose directors 
are willing to train men. As soon as a man joins a vocational class 
he receives an allowance equal to the highest rate of pension, and 
the pension previously allotted to him is suspended. As soon as a 
man's course of training is completed his former pension is resumed, 
subject only to medical reexamination. During the period of train- 
ing, the disabled men are given free medical attention, their homes 
are visited, and the welfare of their families is furthered in everv 



CANADA. 2 1 

way by the commission. When the men have completed their courses 
every effort is made by the commission to secure employment for 
them, and the commission keeps in touch with them as long as possible 
after they go out. — [Daily Gleaner, Montreal, Aug. 31, 1918.] 

Government Encouragement of Flax Spinning. 

An order-in-council was passed by the Canadian Government on 
September 3, offering a bonus to Canadian manufacturers installing 
machinery and producing Canadian-made linens, threads, and } T arns. 
Negotiations are under way between textile manufacturers, the Gov- 
ernment, and the war trade board to start the industry. — [British 
Board of Trade Journal, Nov. 7, 1918, p. 588.] 

Financing of Provincial and Municipal Public Improvements. 

As a result of the rescinding of war-time restrictions upon the 
issue of provincial and municipal securities, there will be a brisk de- 
mand for money from Manitoba and Saskatchewan municipalities 
during 1919. During the past four years a great deal of public work 
has been postponed until the end of the war, and there is a disposi- 
tion now to start work on all these improvements. — [Commerce 
Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Dec. 9, 1918., p. 939.] 
Export Trade, Organization for Development of. 

An important step toward securing for Canada a substantial expan- 
sion of its export trade was the creation of a Canadian Trade Com- 
mission, with headquarters at Ottawa. It will closely cooperate with 
the Canadian Trade Mission in London with a view to securing for 
Canadian producers a share in the. business arising out of the recon- 
struction work in France and Belgium and in other war-devastated 
parts of Europe. The commission will be concerned chiefly with 
postwar export trade. The Canadian Trade Mission has been estab- 
lished in London, through which the Canadian Government is kept 
directly in touch with the activities and deliberations of the agencies 
concerned, with a view to securing orders for Canadian products for 
reconstruction purposes in the devastated areas and for the promo- 
tion generally of the Canadian export trade. — [Commerce Reports, 
U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Dec. 21, 1918, p. 1106; Feb. 8, 1919, p. 621; 
British Board of Trade Journal, Jan. 23, 1919, p. 99.] 

Price Regulations. 

New cost of living regulations have been issued by the Government 
providing for extending facilities of investigations, for the publica- 
tion of fair prices, and for prosecution by municipalities or by the 
minister of labor in addition to the present method of prosecution 
by the provincial attorney general. The new regulations make it 
possible to investigate rentals and authorize procedure against hotels 
and restaurants which sell necessaries of life at a price higher than 



22 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. 

is reasonable and just. — [Monthly Labor Review, IT. S. Dept. of 
Labor, December, 1918, pp. 150, 151.] 

Labor Policy. 

Several resolutions were adopted at the conference of the Trades 
and Labor Congress of Canada, held in Quebec, September 16 and 21. 
These include one asking that a six-hour day shall apply to all under- 
ground mine workers and an eight-hour day to all surface workers in 
all mining properties in the Dominion ; one declaring for a six-hour 
day and a five-day week for all labor ; one asking for a complete con- 
trol by Canada of her immigration policy, the discontinuance of 
bonuses to immigration agents, literary tests for immigrants, pro- 
hibition of immigration until the returned soldiers have been pro- 
vided with employment, registration of immigrants, and legislation 
against the entry of Asiatics. Indorsement is given of Government 
ownership of railways. The Government is asked to adopt an old- 
age pension scheme, and establish a department of health. — [Monthly 
Labor Review, U. S. Dept. of Labor, December. 1918, pp. 355-357.] 

Maintenance of War Tariff. 

A private organization which has the backing of the Canadian 
Manufacturers' Association is of the belief that the one economic 
solution of Canada's financial burdens comes through the main- 
tenance of the present tariff on which there was a 7-J per cent increase 
all around in 1915 as a war measure. — [The Survey, New York, 
N. Y., Jan. 4, 1919, p. 442.] 

Demobilisation and Rehabilitation. 

The militia department, the department of soldiers' civil reestab- 
lishment, and the labor department in cooperation with other 
branches of the Government are completing their organization to deal 
with the problems of finding emplo} T ment for the soldiers as soon as 
possible after they land, and of restoring them to a satisfactory status 
in civil life. The medical branch of the militia department has 
charge of the sick and wounded. 

The department of soldiers' civil reestablishment which has been 
formed within the last year will care for the restoration of disabled 
men to fitness for their old employment and vocational training to 
men who desire to acquire knowledge of new trades. 

The board of pension commission are intrusted with the important 
matter of soldiers' pensions. 

The repatriation committee has for its duties the coordinating of 
these various activities, devising new policies, and insuring against 
any overlapping. — [The Survey, New York, N. Y., Jan. 4, 1919, 
p. 441.] 



CANADA. 23 

Soldier-Settlement Plans. 

An act of the Dominion Government of August 29, 1917, provides 
for a soldier-settlement board of three members and advisory boards 
in each province. By its provisions advances of $2,500 are made 
to soldiers on first mortgage, repayable in two equal payments, the 
first two payments being deferred. Interest at 5 per cent is charged. 
An appropriation of $2,916,000 has been made for this purpose. All 
Dominion lands within 15 miles of railroads have been reserved. 
Free entry of 160 acres is provided at demonstration farms or with 
approved farmers at current wages. Applications from 606 persons 
for $690,800 have been approved, but no colonies have yet been 
established. Special transportation rates have been made for the 
settlers. Applicants must have some capital in order to secure 
loans. — [" Work and Homes for our Fighting Men," Reclamation 
Service, U. S. Dept. of the Interior. 1919, pp. 20, 21.] 

Act 150, 1916, of the Province of Ontario, provides for soldier 
settlements, under the supervision of the deputy minister of lands. 

By its provisions the Dominion amount of $2,500 and provincial 
amount of $500 for stock and tools are advanced to soldiers on first 
mortgage repayable in 20 years. Interest at 5 per cent is charged 
on the Dominion amount of $2,500 and 6 per cent is charged on the 
provincial amount of $500. An appropriation of $5,000,000 has 
been made for this purpose. One hundred acres have been set aside 
for each settler — 10 acres cleared cooperatively. Training is pro- 
vided at the Monteith experiment farm at a wage rate of $2.50 a 
day to single men, .and $1.10 a day to married men with $20 a month 
to wife and $6 a month for each child. There is already one colony 
of 40 men, 24 men in training, and 500 applications on file. Appli- 
cants must have some capital in order to secure loans. — [" Work aim 
Homes for our Fighting Men," Reclamation Service, U. S. Dept. of 
the Interior, 1919, pp. 20, 21.] 

Under an act designated as 6 George V. 9, April, 1916, soldier 
settlements are provided for under the administration of the farm- 
settlement board of New Brunswick. By its provisions the Do- 
minion amount of $2,500 and a provincial amount ranging anywhere 
from $500 to $1,500 will be advanced to settlers on first mortgage 
repayable in 20 years. Twenty thousand acres have been set aside, 
each farm to be from 10 to 100 acres in size. Training is provided 
at demonstration farms, and employment can be obtained until 
farms are taken up. It is desirable that applicants have from $500 
to $2,000 capital.— [" Work and Homes for our Fighting Men," 
Reclamation Service, U. S. Dept. of the Interior, 1919, pp. 20, 21.] 

Under an act designated as 6 George V. 59. 1916, the government 
of British Columbia provided for soldier settlements under the ad- 



24 FOKEIGIST READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. 

ministration of the agricultural credit commission. By its pro- 
visions the Dominion amount of $2,500 and an additional fund to be 
provided is advanced to soldiers on first mortgages repayable in 20 
years. Interest at 5 per cent is charged. The board is empowered 
to spend $500,000 per year to purchase private land. Free entry of 
160 acres is provided for each settler, with preemption claim for 
$10. No mention is made as to what training will be provided, or 
whether or not applicants must have some capital in order to secure 
loans. — ["Work and Homes for our Fighting Men," Keclamation 
Service, U. S. Dept. of the Interior, 1919, pp. 20, 21.] 
Land Settlement for Returned Soldiers. 

The soldiers' settlement board, which comes under the jurisdiction 
of the department of the interior, has formulated plans for land 
settlement in conjunction with the department of agriculture and 
the department of colonization and immigration and with the 
agencies working under the provincial governments. Arrangements 
have been made that the soldiers should have priority of entry on 
free Government lands to the extent of 320 acres, and that, subject 
to the approval of the settlement board, they should be granted an 
advance of $2,500 at a low rate of interest to buy stock, implements, 
and erect buildings. Investigation has revealed the fact that the 
Government land now available is either of poor quality or lies at a 
considerable distance from railways and other facilities, such as 
schools. There are in Western Canada between 20,000,000 and 
30,000,000 acres of excellent land adjacent to railways in the hands 
of land corporations and private speculators. — [The Survey, New 
York, N. Y., Jan. 4, 1919, pp. 441, 442.] 

Commercial Propaganda by Film. 

Realizing the value of moving pictures as a publicity medium for 
illustrating the natural resources of the Dominion and the national 
value of industrial development, the Canadian Government and the 
industrial reconstruction association are undertaking a comprehen- 
sive scheme of moving-picture propaganda. The labor body is issu- 
ing an initial one-half dozen pictures to be followed by others as 
the activities of the association develop. Pictures for the woolen 
industry will show flocks and grazing lands in Western Canada and 
will trace various processes of manufacture to the finished wool and 
knitted products. Other similar pictures will relate to the pulp and 
paper industry, grain and milling, the iron and steel industry, the 
packing industry, and agricultural implements. — [British Board of 
Trade Journal, Jan. 23, 1919, p. 100.] 
New Labor Bureaus. 

The Province of Quebec will establish immediately three labor 
bureaus. Through these offices civilian labor will be handled and re- 



CANADA. 25 

turned soldiers will be taken care of and helped to secure civil occu- 
pations. These bureaus will not complete the operating organiza- 
tion but every postmaster in the Province will be a representative 
and will be supplied with forms so that in the more remote localities 
service may be obtained by those wishing work. On the staff of each 
bureau will be a returned soldier whose duties will consist in meet- 
ing all returned soldiers applying for positions and giving them what 
help is needed in order that they may settle down to civil life. — 
[Christian Science Monitor, Boston, Mass., Jan. 24, 1919.] 

Foreign Branches of the Royal Bank of Canada. 

Proposals of the Royal Bank of Canada for the establishment of 
foreign branches in some of the chief cities of South America and 
elsewhere are being discussed. Already this institution is repre- 
sented in Cuba and other countries of the Caribbean, and it now 
plans to extend the sphere of its influence by opening branches at 
Eio de Janeiro, Brazil; Buenos Aires, Argentina; and Montevideo, 
Uruguay. A branch at Paris, France, will also be started, according 
to reliable local report. — [Report of U. S. consul at Quebec, Jan. 
13, 1919, Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Jan. 29, 1919.] 

Office of Labor, Research, and Employment Service. 

In view of the labor conditions in Canada incident to the ending of 
the war and the consequent necessity for developing and standardiz- 
ing the provincial employment offices, so as to work out the unemploy- 
ment problem with the least possible friction and inconvenience to, 
employers and workers, an order-in-council passed December 16, 
191S, established under the minister of labor an office known as the 
director of labor, research, and employment service. The main duties 
of the new office will be to study and report on unemployment; 
ways and means of lessening unemployment; on unemployment 
conditions, including wages and hours, industrial accidents and dis- 
eases; and on ways and means of improving conditions of employ- 
ment, — [Monthly Labor Review, U. S. Dept. of Labor, February. 
1919, p. 136.] 

Railway Adjustment Board. 

By an arrangement with the Canadian War Board and representa- 
tives of the six railroad brotherhoods a board known as the Canada 
Board of Adjustment, No. 1, was established to handle all contro- 
versies growing out of the interpretation and applications of the 
provisions of wage schedules or agreements, which are not promptly 
adjusted by the officers and employees of any of the railroads operated 
by the Government. — [Monthly Labor Review, U. S. Dept. of Labor, 
January, 1919, pp. 165, 166.] 



26 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. 

Organization for Soldiers' Civil Reestablishment. 

The fitting back of veterans into civil life is intrusted to a separate 
Government department of soldiers' civil reestablishment, with a 
representative in the cabinet. To this department are attached the 
invalid-soldiers commission and the pension board. This department 
centers in one civilian organization the service of picking the man 
up after discharge from the army, looking after his disabilities, 
giving him his industrial reeducation, and endeavoring to locate him 
in a position where his capabilities will be best suited to the trade 
or profession he wishes to enter. The work of the department, apart 
from that of the pension commission, which is a self-contained 
branch of the department, is divided into five branches as follows : 
Medical service, commandants' branch, demobilization branch, voca- 
tional branch, and directors' branch. — [American Review of Reviews, 
New York, N. Y., Feb. 1, 1919, p. 177.] 

Model Houses for Industrial Workers under the War-Measure Act. 

A fund of $25,000,000 has been created by the Dominion Govern- 
ment and wil] be available by way of loans to the several provincial 
governments in connection with the carrying out of the program for 
the construction of model houses for industrial workers through 
municipalities or otherwise. 

The Dominion Government has fixed a low rate of interest of 5 
per cent and will accept bonds, debentures, and other forms of secur- 
ity from any of the provincial governments for loans made to it. — 
|'U. S. consul at Calgary. Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Com- 
merce, Feb. 4, 1919, p. 551.] 

Production for the Rebuilding cf Europe. 

The Canadian Manufacturers' Association is calling upon Cana- 
dian manufacturers to organize into trade groups so as to be ready 
to compete for a share of the work of rebuilding Europe. They point 
out that manufacturers must be prepared to turn out standardized 
products in quantity. They have issued a condensed list of materials 
needed immediately in Belgium which includes copper, brass, con- 
tractors' equipment, transportation material for railroads, dredging 
equipment, and agricultural machinery. — [Iron Age, New York, 
N. Y., Feb. 6, 1919.] 

Demobilization. 

The Government at Ottawa had worked out plans for bringing the 
men home which involved a careful process of selection by which 
men would be brought home according to their occupation and the 
demand there would be for the labor and skill which each soldier had 
at his command. When the men in the army heard of it they objected, 
as they wanted to go home by units so that each battalion when it 



CANADA. 2 7 

detrained at its destination could form up and parade with its colors 
flying and bands playing. The soldiers' protests have been heeded 
and the army will come home by units. — [Record, Philadelphia, Pa.. 
Feb. 16, 1919.] 

Expenditures to Provide Employment. 

In an address to the members of the Engineering Institute of Can- 
ada, the minister of public works stated that it is the duty of the 
Government to expend the public money so as to provide employment 
for the people whether the expenditures are politically sound or not, 
that for the next year money will be spent where it will do the most 
good in the prevention of unemployment, and that unemployment is 
always most acute in the larger centers of population. He added that 
the Government intended spending large sums of money on the con- 
struction of highways. — [Christian Science Monitor, Boston, Mass., 
Feb. 22, 1919.] 
Dissemination of Trade Information. 

The Canadian Trade Commission receive a great deal of informa- 
tion pertaining to business which may be obtained in Europe. Much 
of this business is of an urgent character, and, in order that informa- 
tion relating thereto may be made immediately available to all con- 
cerned, the commission has asked manufacturers to organize into 
groups through which any information received by the commission 
may be transmitted. — [The Canadian Official Record, Mar. 4, 1919. 

P- 4.] 

Plans for Unemployed. 

The specific steps the Canadian Government is taking to solve the 
unemployment problem may be summarized as follows: 

1. Twenty- five million dollars have been set aside for housebuild- 
ing. This is in the form of a loan allocated through provincial gov- 
ernments to the municipalities on which devolve the operation of the 
scheme. 

2. Veterans are encouraged to go farming, and Government liter- 
ature describes this as "the most extensive settlement scheme ever 
evolved." Under it returned men may obtain land, funds, seed, equip- 
ment, and instruction. The essential part of this project is a system 
of loans under which a veteran may secure capital up to $7,500, with 
25 years to repay it. 

3. All public works are to be immediately resumed. 

4. There will be construction and expansion on both Government 
and privately owned railways. One railway, it is said, will require 
120,000 men this season. 

5. Shipbuilding construction will be continued, providing Cana- 
dian yards can compete in cost with British yards. 



28 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. 

6. Public highways on ambitious lines are to be constructed under 
a system of cooperation with provincial governments. — [World, 
New York, N. Y., Mar. 9, 1919.] 
Price Reductions to Soldier Land Settlers. 

The chairman of the soldier-settlement board has announced that 
soldiers who participate in the benefits of the land-settlement pro- 
visions will be given considerable reductions in price on the purchase 
of agricultural implements, live stock, and harness. Very favorable 
arrangements have been made with manufacturers of implements 
and harness, by which soldiers will be given a wide range of choice 
of first-class implements at prices substantially below those quoted to 
civilians. Twelve hundred retail lumber merchants will cooperate 
with the soldier-settlement board by giving soldiers who go on the 
land wholesale prices for lumber required for permanent improve- 
ments, plus the bare cost of unloading, handling, and other charges. — 
[The Canadian Official Record, Mar. 18, 1919, p. 3.] 

Demobilization. 

Canada is demobilizing her fighting corps, including the four- 
divisions at the front, by sending them home as units, so that 
Canadian committees are able to give a welcome to their home bat- 
talions. Through a system of exchanges each battalion has been re- 
constituted so as to consist of men from one given area. The rest of 
the army is to be demobilized on the " standard-draft " plan. 

Canada has been divided into 22 dispersal areas, the principal city 
in each area being the dispersal station. Men who have signified, 
their intention of going to the same dispersal area are assembled in 
concentration camps in England in drafts of 500. Each soldier 
chooses the area to which he wishes to go. In making up the drafts 
long-service men receive preference over those who have served a 
shorter time, and married men have priority over single men. The 
men receive their medical examination before leaving England, so- 
that all delay in Canada over this detail is avoided. Questionnaire 
cards, asking among other things for the soldier's previous occupa- 
tion, the occupation which he now prefers, and the locality in which 
he intends to settle are distributed to the men overseas. These cards,, 
after being filled out, are sent to Canada for the guidance of officials. 

On arrival at the dispersal station men who have been sick en 
route are immediately received by the district depot for medical 
treatment and receive pay as part of that unit. All other men fall 
in alphabetically and are paraded to a military depot, where, under 
one roof, are arranged the offices of the ordnance officer, the soldiers'" 
reestablishment disposal staff, the paymaster, the officer command- 
ing the dispersal station, and the railway agent. At the ordnance 
office each man turns in his equipment, except his steel helmet and. 



CANADA. 29 

•clothing, which he is allowed to keep. A representative of the sol- 
diers' civil reestablishment department gives him such information 
and advice as he may require and a card of introduction to the 
nearest branch of the provincial returned soldiers' commission. To 
the head office of the latter a record is sent of all men interviewed 
by this representative. The paymaster issues the man a check cov- 
ering his back pay, clothing allowance of $35, and first month's war 
service gratuity. Finally the officer commanding gives each man his 
discharge certificate and passes him on to the railway agent from 
whom he receives a free ticket to his home town. The military au- 
thorities supply adequate quarters and rations for the men until train 
time and for those who wish to stay overnight. 

In order to secure employment for discharged soldiers, employ- 
ment offices are established in all the urban centers, and when neces- 
sary in smaller places. In each Province the local offices are linked 
together by a provincial clearing house in the capital city, which 
furnishes . information as to labor needs and opportunities in every 
locality. Also in every Province there are returned soldiers' commis- 
sions to keep former soldiers in touch with the nearest employment 
offices and to safeguard their interests. 

Regarding the wounded men, there are 32,000 hospital cases in 
England and 10,000 in France. While these men are receiving the 
best of care, just as soon as they are fit to move they are brought 
home on hospital ships in care of the Canadian Army medical corps. 
On arriving at the Atlantic ports they are taken on hospital trains 
to the various military hospitals and are kept in charge of the mili- 
tary authorities until certified by a board of medical officers as either 
cured or in such a condition as to require prolonged or permanent 
institutional care. In the latter case they are taken on the pay rolls 
of the medical service branch of the department of soldiers' civil 
reestablishment and placed in suitable hospitals. Soldiers so inca- 
pacitated through service that they can not resume their former 
occupations are trained by the Government for new activities. 
While undergoing training a single man receives $50 a month, a 
married man $38 a month for his wife. If he has a wife and child 
the allowance for them is $42. Where there are more children, larger 
allowances are granted, the maximum being $55. — [Literary Digest, 
New York, N. Y., Mar. 22, 1919, pp. 22, 23 ; 49-56.] 

Housing. 

The city of Toronto has appointed a permanent housing commis- 
sion whose procedure will be as follows : 

1. Houses will be built to sell; not to rent. 

2. The commission itself will not build the houses, but an incor- 
porated company will be formed. 



30 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. 

3. About 300 houses will be built ; not all in one place, but in dif- 
ferent parts of the city, so that people of every section will have a 
chance to buy. Houses will probably be of the semidetached type, 
with a 25-foot lot for each; the cost to the buyer will be $3,000; and 
the exterior of the houses will differ in appearance. 

The reason why homes will be built for sale only was explained 
by one of the members of the commission by the statement that " the 
man who buys a home is more valuable to the city than the man who 
rents." — [Commerce Eeports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Mar. 22, 
1919, p. 1428.] 

Creation of Department of Industry. 

On March 28 the British Columbia legislature approved a bill 
providing for the creation of a department of industry, for the 
administration of which the provincial government intends to set 
aside $2,000,000 to be raised by a domestic loan. This action is to 
some extent the result of representations made by returned soldiers 
to the effect that sufficient employment was not being provided, and 
that the Government should adopt stronger measures. The work of 
the department of industry will be a wide one, providing, as it does, 
for induslrrial research; to carry out an economic survey of natural 
resources and furnish advice as to the best methods of utilizing the 
same; to coordinate various industries, bringing together producer, 
manufacturer, and purchaser; to publish technical, scientific, and 
statistical information and encourage technical and industrial study ; 
to report on the establishment of industries in British Columbia 
where it appears such can be profitably carried on; to aid by loan, 
guaranty, or guaranty of securities on approved plans, any enter- 
prise calculated to encourage the economic and commercial manu- 
facture of the natural resources or products of the Province; and 
to deal with representative bodies of returned soldiers concerning 
employment through the establishment of new industries. An 
advisory council, consisting of not more than seven members, who 
will serve without pay, representative of the financial, commercial, 
industrial, manufacturing, and labor interests, will assist the min- 
ister of industry in this work. — [Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of 
Commerce, Apr. 17, 1919, p. 379.] 

CHILE. 

Extension of Irrigation. 

Plans have been laid before Congress for the construction of sec- 
ondary canals for feeding the large Laja Canal now nearing com- 
pletion. It is also intended to ask the Government to extend the 
irrigation law so as to allow for these branches being built on the 
same lines as the large canal. This latter will be finished next spring, 
but will be of little use without these secondary canals. Therefore 



CHINA. 31 

it is very urgent that immediate action should be taken. This net- 
work of canals would cover about 333 kilometers and cost $1,657,256. — 
| Morcurio. Dec. 4, 1918.] 

CHINA. 

Foreign Trade, Monopolization of. 

It is reported that a central office for foreign trade has been estab- 
lished which will monopolize the entire import and export trade of 
China. The venture has been launched by the Japanese financial 
agent in China, and the requisite capital is said to have come from 
Japan, only 40 per cent of the shares being in Chinese hands. — 
f Deutscher Aussenhandel. Sept. 25, 1918.] 

Shipping. 

The Chinese Government is reported as considering favorably a 
joint proposal made by British and Japanese capitalists for the 
development of Chinese shipping. Shanghai is said to be develop- 
ing into an important shipbuilding center. The Wangpoo con- 
servancy board, the body that controls the port of Shanghai, plans 
an expenditure of $100,000,000 during the next two decades in mak- 
ing the harbor available for largest ocean-going steamships. — [Engi- 
neering News-Record, Nov. 2; Journal of Commerce, New York, 
N. Y., Nov. 8, 1918. 

The American Legation has lodged a protest with the Chinese 
Government against the sanctioning of an export and import 
monopoly by a Chinese limited liability company. — [Tribune, New 
York, Nl Y., Dec. 30, 1918.] 

New Alphabet. 

It is predicted that the change in alphabet recently announced, 
showing a shift in the political thought of the Empire, will have a 
marked effect on the future of the new Republic through greatly 
facilitating the education of the nine-tenths of the population now 
illiterate.— [Times, New York, N. Y., Jan. 13, 1919.] 

Conciliation of Local Factions. 

The Chinese President has proceeded so far in his efforts at con- 
ciliation between the northern and southern factions of the Republic 
that the solution of the difficulties dividing the country seems now in 
sight. — [Christian Science Monitor, Boston, Mass., Feb. 8, 1919.] 

Disclosure of Secret Treaties. 

The conciliation of local factions has been greatly aided by official 
instructions sent the Chinese delegation in Paris to disclose the secret 
agreements with Japan.- — [Tribune, New York, N. Y., Feb. 18, 1919.] 



32 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. 

CZECHOSLOVAKIA. 

[Including Bohemia.] 
Economic Prospects. 

From an economic standpoint the Czecho- Slovak is the most pros- 
perous of all the national States in what was formerly the Dual 
Monarchy. Its wealth in natural products of every sort proves this 
conclusively. While the output of coal is from 35 to 40 per cent below 
the peace figures, none is being exported and consequently there is 
enough to work the railways and important undertakings. The sugar 
factories are able to handle all beets harvested, and are figuring on 
having a large surplus of sugar for export. This with a number of 
other products is intended to procure an equivalent value of foodstuffs 
and raw materials, especially, the latter which are greatly needed. 
The harvest is sufficient to feed the population for several months 
and the prices of foodstuffs have fallen. Production is not normal, 
however, except in the foodstuffs industry. Textile and other indus- 
tries are being held back on account of inability to secure foreign raw 
materials. The banks foresee a great business boom coming and most 
of them have increased their capital, although for the time being 
they have no use for it. — [Oesterreichischer Volkswirt, Jan. 11, 
1919.] 

Agreement with Germany. 

A provisional commercial agreement has been made between Ger- 
many and Czecho- Slovakia whereby Germany agrees to deliver to the 
new Eepublic certain important commodities in return for others 
needed in Germany. In respect to the traffic on railways, trucks, and 
coaches the two Governments agree that until further notice this 
traffic shall be equal in both directions, the details remaining to be 
settled. Both Governments are prepared to release ships of the other 
party line and their territory together with the cargo of such ships. 
They agree that in the interest of an early resumption of railway 
traffic the detailed regulations shall be settled without delay by direct 
agreement. The two Governments will place no obstacles in the 
way of the unhindered passage of diplomatic couriers and their lug- 
gage. — [British Board of Trade Journal, Jan. 16, 1919, p. 93.] 

Oversubscription to Liberty Loan. 

The Bohemian Government called for a loan of 500,000,000 crowns. 
The amount subscribed was 1,948,431,100 crowns by 191,410 sub- 
scribers. The loan bears interest at 4 per cent and was issued at 
par. — [Supplement to Ceskoslovenska Samostatinost, Dec. 11 and 25, 
1918; Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Jan. 28, 1919, 
p. 417.] 



DENMARK. 33 

Resumption of Trade by the United States. 

In accordance with the recognition by the United States State De- 
partment of the Czecho-Slovakia Council as an independent Govern- 
ment, and in agreement with other associated Governments, the 
United States War Trade Board has announced the reestablishment 
of trade relations with Czecho-Slovakia. Further announcement 
will define the exact limits of this territory, but in a general way 
the portion now open to trade is the area which constituted the 
Provinces of Bohemia and Moravia, as they existed, on August 1, 
1914. — [Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Feb. 14, 1919, 
p. 721.] 

DENMARK. 

Trade Education for the "Unemployed. 

The ministry of the interior has appointed subcommittees to ar- 
range trade lessons for the unemployed. This will afford an oppor- 
tunity to equip those out of work for other trades or to educate them 
so that the forced unemployment may be used to the best possible 
advantage. One course has been started for unemployed woman 
servants. A course on automobile questions is to be started for 
chauffeurs and for laborers on motors. Also courses on staining and 
polishing will be established for cabinetmakers, and courses on ac- 
counting, leveling, iron concrete, understanding of drawings, etc., for 
laborers. It is planned to get the cooperation of the different trades 
in this movement. — [Monthly Labor Review, U. S. Dept. of Labor, 
January, 1919, p. 149.] 

Shipping Activities. 

With the prospect of peace at an early date and the resumption 
of normal trade routes, the Copenhagen free port expects to play an, 
important part in Scandinavian and Baltic trade. Considerable work 
has been done toward enlarging the area, dockage, and warehouse 
facilities of the port during the war. — [Commerce Reports, U. S. 
Dept. of Commerce, Mar. 22, 1919, p. 1427.] 

Eight-hour Day for State Employees. 

The Government has acceded to the demand for an eight-hour day 
for all State employees. This will cost the State over $2,000,000 a 
year, as the new arrangement also allows one day off every week, 
while the present one gives them only one every two weeks. The Gov- 
ernment, however, has refused to grant the extra war allowances 
which were asked for. — [Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Com- 
merce, Mar. 31, 1919, p. 1612.] 
115488—19 3 



34 FOKEIGN KEADJTJSTMENT AND RECONSTKUCTION. 

EUROPEAN COUNTRIES. 

Aerial Postal Service. 

Austria has had since April an aerial postal line from Vienna to 
Lemberg ; Hungary has instituted one between Budapest and Odessa, 
and Brest-Litovsk and Kiev; Denmark, between Copenhagen and 
Skagen, for mails and passengers; and Italy, between Eome and 
Turin, and between the mainland and Sardinia. A service between 
Paris, Brussels, and London is contemplated after the war. Lines 
are projected, but not yet working, between Paris and St. Nazaire; 
Paris, Marseilles, and Nice ; Stockholm and Gulf of Finland ; Petro- 
grad and Moscow ; Odessa and Constantinople ; Stavenger and Aber- 
deen. In Holland postal air communication is contemplated be- 
tween Amsterdam and Groningen ; and Rotterdam and Groningen.— 
[Deutscher Aussenhandel, Aug. 15, 1918.] 

Agricultural Conditions in England, France, and Italy. 

A summary has been issued of the report of the commission sent 
abroad last August by the United States Department of Agriculture 
to study agricultural conditions in England, France, and Italy. The 
report, which was prepared before the armistice was signed, states 
that the countries at war will become increased consumers of agri- 
cultural products when governmental restrictions are removed. 
Among other recommendations, the commission suggests that an in- 
ternational agricultural council be formed to consider the situation 
and needs of the various nations with regard to agricultural produc- 
tion.— [Official U. S. Bulletin, Jan. 7, 1919, p. 1.] 

FINLAND. 

A National Fair in 1919. 

At the suggestion of the commission of commerce and industry, 
the National Industrial League of Finland has decided to organize a 
national fair during the summer of 1919, the purpose of which will 
be to encourage all phases of agricultural, commercial, industrial, 
social, and educational life of Finland, and to strengthen and ameli- 
orate the industrial and national developments and changes brought 
about by the war. — [Commerce Eeports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, 
Dec. 21, 1918, p. 1108.] 

FINLAND AND SWEDEN. 

Commercial Agreement. 

An agreement has been entered into between representatives of 
the Finnish and Swedish Governments whereby these Governments 
will aid each other by exporting quantities of goods, the exportation 
of which will not in any way injure the exporting country; and will 
also facilitate the transit of goods through the two countries in a 



FRANCE. 



35 



wav most beneficial to both.— [Svensk Export, November, 1918 ; Com- 
merce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Jan. 3, 1919, p. IT.] 

FRANCE. _ :- 

Economic Needs and Resources, Inquiries into. 

The ministry of commerce announces the beginning of two large 
economic inquiries. An order of the under secretary of state of this- 
department, published in the Journal Officiel of June 10, directs, 
simultaneously, the preparation of an " inventory of the economic 
needs and resources of France after the war," and an inquiry con- 
cerning the expediency of a protective tariff law (droit protecteur) 
to be enacted for the benefit of the industries which claim this assist- 
ance from the State and which demonstrate its justifiable needs. — 
[Exportation Franchise, June 27, 1918.] 
Xand Settlements foT ex-Soldiers and War Victims, Loans for. 

An act of April 9, 1918, allows military pensioners and civil vic- 
tims of the war to obtain loans from the credit agricole for the ac- 
quisition of small holdings in the country. The loans will be re- 
deemable in 25 years and granted at 1 per cent interest. The guar- 
antee demanded from the borrower will be a mortgage on the prop- 
erty and a life insurance effected in favor of the lending company. 
[Journal Officiel, July 21, 1918.] 
Electricity as a Eactor in Reconstruction. 

The directors and representatives of the large central power sta- 
tions and electric-lighting plants situated in the invaded regions 
have banded together under the auspices of the syndicate profes- 
sionel des producteurs et distributeurs d'energie electrique, and are 
studying the problem of reconstructing their central power stations. — 
[Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Aug. 8, 1918, p. 515.] 

Collective Buying in Industrial Reconstruction. 

The French manufacturers in rebuilding the destroyed or dam- 
aged factories will buy their materials, not individually, but collec- 
tively through a small number of central purchasing agencies, each 
agency representing a group of French manufacturers engaged in 
the same or related industries and assisted by the credit of the French 
Government. — [Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Aug. 
27, 1918, p. 773.] 

New Commercial Highway. 

There is a movement in France which aims at providing Switzer- 
land and the Central European hinterland, Bohemia, and other na- 
tions, an Atlantic port in France, rendering them economically in- 
dependent of Germany. — [Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Com- 
merce, Sept. 5, 1918, p. 886.] 



36 FOREIGN" READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. 

Fiduciary Societies. 

Among the more practical reforms tending toward the establish- 
ment in France of new postwar methods of work are the fiduciary 
societies (societes fiduciares) to act as intermediaries between the 
bankers and the heads of industries and commercial enterprises. 
Their aim is to study by means of close investigation the position, 
prospects, and potentialities of any given business establishments, 
in order to determine whether these warrant the extension to its 
promoters of such credit as they may desire. They will be entirely 
free from Government support. — [L'Economiste Franeaise, Sept. 14, 
1918.] 

Division of the Country into Economic Regions. 

The French ministry of commerce is engaged upon the task of 
creating economic divisions in France, in order to insure the most 
effective cooperation of French chambers of commerce in solving the 
after-the-war economic problems. In this plan the existing depart- 
mental boundaries are ignored, the country being divided into 16 
economic regions. — [Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, 
Sept. 30, 1918, p. 1201; British Board of Trade Journal, Nov. 
7, 1918, p. 583.] 

Collective Trade-Mark. 

A group of industrial and commercial organizations have adopted 
the collective trade-mark " Unis-France," to guarantee the French 
origin of certain products. — [Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Com- 
merce, Oct. 2, 1918, p. 24.] 

Aerial Postal Service. 

The interministerial commission has planned and elaborated to its 
smallest details the most complete system of aerial communication 
between the principal towns of France, which is ready to be brought 
into action the moment circumstances permit. The service most 
carefully worked out is that from Paris to Nice, calling at Dijon, 
Lyon, and Marseilles, to be eventually extended to Genoa and 
Rome. — [L'Economiste Franeaise, Oct. 26, 1918.] 

Disabled Soldiers, Reeducation of. 

The American Red Cross in Paris has recently published a report 
on the reeducation of disabled soldiers in France, the object of which 
is to show: How the American Red Cross can help in reeducating 
the disabled in France ; and in what way the experience thus gained 
can be of service in the United States in dealing with its own dis- 
abled men. It is the result of a survey made of the work actually 
done. — [Report of Miss Grace S. Harper, American Red Cross, 
Paris.] 



FRANCE. 37 

Industries in the Invaded Regions. 

A special commission appointed by the ministry of commerce is 
investigating the condition of all industrial establishments in the 
neighborhood of Lille, Roubaix, and Tourcoing, with a view to ascer- 
taining which of these can be reestablished in working order with 
the briefest delay, and organizing their supply with raw textiles, 
thus to reduce to a minimum the import of manufactured goods. 

A second mission appointed by the minister of blockade is engaged 
m ascertaining details as to the needs of the invaded regions in ma- 
terials of all kinds, such as coal, leather-belts, copper, etc., and also 
their labor requirements. 

The two bodies are working in conjunction. Factories are classi- 
fied under four categories. Forms have to be completed showing 
their prewar and their present situation, in order to establish in the 
shortest possible time the measures necessary for the progressive 
revival of the textile industries. — [Temps, Nov. 12, 1918.] 
Reconstruction of Iron and Steel Industry. 

A " Societe Cooperative des Mines de Fer et de la Siderurgie des 
Kegions Sinistres " has recently been created in France for the pur- 
pose of conducting commercial or industrial operations necessary for 
the bringing about of the reconstruction and reorganization of the 
iron mines and steel works of the invaded regions. — [Commerce Ke- 
ports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Nov. 13, 1918, p. 593.] 
War Factories, Conversion to Peace Work. 

The minister of armament indicated in a recent statement to the 
army commission that a department had been created with the 
special function of settling rapidly all questions connected with 
the reorganization of war factories. Steps are being taken as far 
as possible to prevent unemployment, and to assure the French 
workmen and workwomen priority of employment over foreigners 
and prisoners. The manufacture of war material will cease progres- 
sively, taking into account outstanding military requirements and 
the extent of the available labor. — [Echo de Paris, Nov. 17, 1918.] 

Linking up Alsace-Lorraine Railways. 

A deputation representing the eastern railways of France recently 
met a German delegation, who came from Metz to Nancy in order 
to arrange details with a view to the connection of the railways of 
Alsace-Lorraine with the French system. — [Temps, Nov. 17, 1918.] 

Transport Conditions Return to Normal. 

The minister of public works had issued to all the managing bodies 
of railways a circular requesting them to speed up traffic, clear their 
stations, and return with the utmost promptitude to a normal state 
of affairs. He requests all railroad companies to hasten the trans- 



38 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. 

port of manures, seeds, and everything subservient to food pro- 
duction, wines, and coal, especially from the northern mines. — [Nou- 
velliste de Lyon, Nov. 19, 1918.] 
Employment of ex-Soldiers. 

A new law providing for the compulsory reemployment of men 
in the posts they held before the war was enacted in November, 1918. 
The terms of the law are, briefly : 

1. Government departments, as well as private employers, are com- 
pelled to reinstate their employees who have been serving in the 
army, provided, on the one hand, that the changes in economic con- 
ditions caused by the war make such reemployment possible; and 
on the other hand, that the men are not so severely disabled as to 
be unfit for their posts. 

2. Men who were engaged under contracts for a definite period 
must be taken back to complete the terms of their contracts. All 
contracts made with men in the absence of those who have been called 
up will expire automatically as soon as the latter are reemployed. 

3. Reinstated men will be eligible for any promotion, increase in 
salary or wages, or for any bonus provided for in the regulations ex- 
isting before the war. Where owing to economic conditions or to a 
man's disablement, it is impossible to reinstate him in his former 
post, a similar or suitable one should if possible be given to him. 

4. Failing proof by the employer of the impossibility of rein- 
stating a former employee, he will be liable to damages according to 
the labor code.— [Journal Officiel, Nov. 22, 1918; Matin, Nov. 26, 
1918.] 

Labor Reforms. 

The French workers general committee in their program advo- 
cate: Establishment of a League of Nations; no economic war nor 
economic protection; no reprisals, only reparation for destruction; 
and general disarmament. They urge that labor be represented at 
the Peace Conference, and that an international labor congress be 
established. They ask for restoration of freedom of speech ; suppres- 
sion of censorship ; liberation of interned aliens ; various trade-union 
rights for workmen and employees ; an eight-hour day ; and compul- 
sory education up to 14 years of age. Demobilization and economic 
reconstruction measures should be in the hands of a national economic 
council on which labor should be represented directly. They" recom- 
mend that the work of restoring the devastated provinces be put in 
the hands of new committees on which producers and consumers 
should be represented, and that measures be taken to make profiteer- 
ing impossible in this work. Other reforms asked for in this pro- 
gram are: State control over all branches of trade and industry 



FRANCE. 39 

essential to the life of the individual or the nation ; measures to com- 
bat the various social evils; the right of any workman, whatever 
his nationality, to work wherever he can find it; the extension of in- 
surance of workers; the removal of octroi and customs duties from 
all foodstuffs and fuel in order to reduce the present high prices; 
the institution of a national service to supply the necessaries of life 
to workers at cost ; and additional taxes on war profits and increased 
legacy duties to pay for the war. — [Populaire de Paris, Nov. 26, 
1918.] 

Provision for Unemployment. 

The General Council of the Seine has agreed to a proposal which 
aims at preventing unemployment subsequent to demobilization. A 
tabulated list of work to be done is to be drawn up not in accordance 
with the urgency of the work, but according to the kind of work, so 
that the greatest number of men may be given employment with the 
least possible delay. For the purpose of transforming war factories 
into peace factories and endeavoring to reestablish the economic life 
of the country, certain credits have been voted to the various minis- 
tries.— [Temps, Nov. 22, 1918; Journal des Debats, Dec. 1, 1918.] 
Future of the French Air Service. 

The vice president of the French Army commission makes the fol- 
lowing recommendations with the view of insuring the orderly de- 
mobilization of the air service, and of securing the highest interests 
of the country : 

1. To define the importance of the air army in peace time and to 
constitute it an independent force. 

2. To organize immediately aerial routes in France and its colonies, 
as well as landing-places, aerodromes, etc. 

3. To enlist specialists in this service and to guarantee their posi- 
tion. 

4. To arouse competition among engineers and aeroplane builders. 

5. To encourage the formation of aerial transport companies. — 
[Journal des Debats, Dec. 1, 1918.] 

International Labor Legislation Proposed. 

The labor committee of the Chamber of Deputies adopted on No- 
vember 29 a report on clauses relating to international labor legisla- 
tion to be inserted in the Peace Treaty. A firm stand is made against 
night work for young industrial workers and a workday longer than 
10 hours for women and youths in factories. Such questions as the 
minimum industrial age, eight-hour day, industrial insurance, etc., 
are to be submitted to an international labor conference, and periodic 
international labor conferences are to be called. — [Post, Washington, 
D. C, Dec. 2, 1918.] 



40 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. 

Public Improvements. 

The under secretary of public works and transportation, calls atten- 
tion to a proposed railway from Bordeaux to Odessa, and the much- 
talked-of tunnel under the English Channel, as part of the economic 
offensive which he is directing. This offensive includes railway, 
steamship, and canal extensions. — [Courier-Herald, Saginaw, Mich., 
Dec. 3, 1918.] 

Commissariat for Liberated Territories. 

By decree of the President of the Republic, a general commissariat 
for the reconstruction of the liberated territories has been created at 
the ministry of blockade and of the liberated regions. It will deal 
with: Relations with the transportation and food services, so as to 
meet the needs of the population ; the determination, in consultation 
with the army, of the assistance to be obtained from it ; the material 
reconstruction of the liberated territories ; and especially the rebuild- 
ing of ruined houses, and the restoration of the soil to a fit state for 
cultivation. The general commissioner is empowered to take im- 
mediately, in urgent cases, all necessary measures to meet urgent 
needs. He will make immediate use of all local administrations and 
will endeavor to obtain the collaboration of the headquarters of the 
Allied Armies. The services of prisoners of war and the French 
prisoners will be utilized. Material for the construction of provi- 
sional house accommodations will be sent as quickly as possible, rail- 
ways will be repaired, and the return of the populations will be 
effected with the provision of housing and the food supply. — [Journal 
des Debats, Dec. 4, 1918.] 
Repairs to Damaged Railways, locks, and Bridges. 

The minister of public works has had a conference with the repre- 
sentatives of the railway systems of the Nord and the Est with regard 
to repairs of the lines. The work will be carried on under State 
control. The railway companies are authorized to come to an under- 
standing with builders' and contractors' organizations with the view 
both of the urgency for execution of certain steps, and the recom- 
mencement of work. The minister has also requested that the repre- 
sentatives of these railway systems indicate to him the number of 
workmen necessary for these repairs, in order that he may demand 
their demobilization and their dispatch to the place where their 
presence will be most useful. There are 1,800 bridges to be rebuilt, 
20 locks to be reconstructed, and at least 5,000 kilometers of rails to 
be repaired. — [Journal des Debats, Dec. 4, 1918; Le Matin, Dec. 
8, 1918.] 
Government Aid in Trade Reorganization. 

The ministry of trade intends to amalgamate the various members 
of each branch of industry, to distribute them in groups and to 



FRANCE. 41 

intrust to these the preparation of samples as well as information 
and services with a view to introducing economies and increasing 
their efficiency. He has announced that it is intended to reorganize 
the ministry of trade, to add to French diplomative representatives 
abroad, Government commercial agents, and to settle as many French 
firms in foreign countries as may be feasible. — [Weltwirtschafts- 
zeitung, Dec. 6, 1918.] 
Organizations of Export Credit in France. 

The minister of trade has made the following statement with 
regard to the establishment of the new French export bank on the 
occasion of its renewal of the privileges of the Banque de France. 
In addition to its permanent advances, the bank is to make, if neces- 
sary, an advance of 50,000,000 francs to the treasury to serve as the 
foundation capital of a French export bank whose organization is 
to be intrusted to a committee of 15 members, 8 nominated by the 
Chambers of Commerce of Paris, Lens, Marseilles, Bordeaux, and 
Havre, and the rest by decree of the ministerial council. — [Welt- 
wirtschaftszeitung, Dec. 6, 1918.] 

American Committee for Devastated France. 

In order to assist in reorganizing remote war-torn regions, the 
women of the American Committee for Devastated France have in- 
stituted a modernized peddling system by means of which groceries 
and household necessities are distributed by autotrucks. — [Tribune, 
New York, N. Y., Dec. 7, 1918.] 

Agricultural Land Reforms. 

A law has been enacted which has for its object a redistribution 
of disintegrated rural properties so as to produce united estates on 
which agricultural operations will be more profitable. It provides 
that exchanges rendered necessary to the achievement of this are to 
be conducted by barter. The object is to give to each proprietor 
an area of land relatively equivalent either in extent or quality to 
the ground owned by him within boundaries of the land to be redis- 
tributed. Privileges, the mortgages, and other actual rights upon 
the real estate given in exchange are to be transferred absolutely 
to the property received in the exchange. All claims and complaints 
will be heard by a commission appointed under the law. — [L'Econo- 
miste Francaise, Dec. 7, 1918.] 
The Conversion of War Factories. 

The central committee of the employers union of vocational syndi- 
cates has called the attention of the minister of reconstruction to the 
following points concerning the conversion of war factories to the 
requirements of peace: Conversion can only be harmless as it is 
entirely provisional ; it should not compete with normal industry, but 
should assist them rather to increase their productive power during 



42 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. 

the transitional period ; and the conversion of private war factories 
might disturb and injure existing establishments and particularly 
those of the liberated regions by reason of state favoritism accorded 
to such converted factories, and their competition in the manufacture 
of articles in which the existing establishments have long special- 
ized.— [Temps, Dec. 12, 1918.] 

Organization for Industrial Reconstruction. 

The Premier of France organized on November 17, 1917, under 
the title of ministry of blockade and of the liberated territories, the 
following four departments : 

1. A department to take charge of the economic life in the liber- 
ated parts of France. It comprises services for — 

a. Provisioning of population through the local administration. 

~b. Reestablishment of local authorities and schools. 

g. Relief work. 

d. Responsibility for such questions as the assessment of dam- 
ages wrought by the war and the indemnities to which the 
inhabitants are entitled. 

2. A department to take care of the housing of the population. 

a. Supplies temporary wooden houses where homes, churches, 

and town halls are completely destroyed, to be replaced 
later by more substantial structures. 

b. Makes temporary repairs where houses are damaged but not 

destroyed. 

c. Supplies furniture to replace that taken by the Germans. 

d. Puts soil into fit condition for cultivation, removing shells, 

grenades, barbed wire, etc., also refilling trenches so that 
farmers may proceed with their work. 

3. An office of agricultural reconstruction to restore to the liberated 
region all its prewar agricultural activity. 

a. Replaces cattle destroyed or taken away and farming imple- 
ments destroyed. 
h. Furnishes plants and seeds. 

4. An office of industrial reconstitution comprising a central com- 
mittee of purchases composed of manufacturers from the liberated 
regions who are desirous of restoring to the devastated territories in 
the shortest possible time all prewar industrial activities. This com- 
mittee is subdivided into a number of important committees, almost 
every industry being represented, such as the spinning and weav- 
ing factories, breweries, coal-mining industry, electric power, etc. 
These committees are to submit a program of industrial reconstruc- 
tion and present their desideratum to the minister of liberated terri- 
tories through the office of industrial reconstitution. — [Article by 
Lieut. Maurice Boyer, in charge of reconstruction for the French 
High Commission in Washington; Times, Detroit, Mich., Dec. 12, 
1918.] 



FRANCE. 43 



Societe Mineraux et Metaux. _ 

At the suggestion of the French ministry of commerce, the societe 
mineraux et metaux, having as its aim the development m France ot 
mineral and metallurgical industries, has been organized to take a 
leading part in the purchase of metals in the United States.— [Wall 
Street'journal, New York, N. Y., Dec. 18, 1918.] 
Cooperation of Employees to Solve Food Problem. 

A report recently published in the Bulletin Economique Francaise 
refers to restaurants and stores maintained by cooperative societies 
and supported by employees of French munitions factories. By 
means of these societies there is secured a methodical organization 
and distribution of foodstuffs, thus frustrating the profiteering ol 
local tradesmen. It is expected that many of these organizations, 
called into existence during the war, will continue after its close.— 
[Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Dec. 20, 1918, p. 
1097.] 
Reconstituting Damaged Industries, Needs for. 

The United States commercial attache, at Paris, cabled that what 
France needs for reconstituting its damaged industries in the north 
and east are: Labor; credit; raw materials to keep French industries 
o-oing; such special equipment for iron and coal mines, steel works, 
textile mills, and other industrial establishments as France is not 
in position to make in sufficient quantity at this time; and ships.— 
[Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Dec. 23. 1918, p. 1124.] 
Organization for Industrial Reconstruction. 

The office of industrial reconstitution of the invaded regions of the 
ministry of blockade and of the liberated regions, according to a 
decree of December 13, 1917, deals with everything relating to the 
reorganization of local life and means of habitation, the assistance to 
be given to sufferers in the reestablishment of destroyed property, 
the repair of war ravages, the restoration of the land, and industrial 
and agricultural reconstruction. Its function is to lay down pro- 
grams of purchases and to supervise and control their execution. 

An act of August 6, 1917, sanctions a credit of 250,000,000 francs 
and charges the ministry of commerce to purchase and institute the 
necessary materials for reconstruction purposes through the office 
of industrial reconstitution. It provides for the transfer of actual 
operations by agreement to a third party responsible to that office 
and subject to the audit of the ministry of finance. The central in- 
dustrial purchasing office for the invaded regions is the third party 

concerned. . . 

The central association for the resumption of industrial activity 
in the invaded regions (association central pour la reprise de l'ac- 
tivite industrielle dans les regions envahie) comprises a group of 



44 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. 

manufacturers in the invaded districts with the object of " pursuing 
by every suitable means the reconstitution of plants and stocks in 
industrial enterprises and factories." Being prohibited by law from 
undertaking commercial operations, the association established a 
central industrial purchasing office for the invaded regions (comp- 
toir central d'achats industriels pour les regions envahies). 

The central industrial purchasing office for the invaded regions, 
established by the central association for the resumption of indus- 
trial activities in the invaded regions, is a limited company with a 
capital of 1,000,000 francs. Its functions are defined by act of 
August 6, 1917, and by agreement entered into with the French 
Government on October 4, 1917. The duties of the comptoir central 
are to submit data for purchasing programs to the industrial office; 
to find out and discuss purchases and supplies ; to place contracts, to 
supervise their execution ; and to receive and store the material and 
distribute it to the manufacturers concerned. Their purchases may 
be made either upon specific requests from the manufacturers or with 
the object of constituting stocks for distribution when required. 

Cessions of material, which are subject to a formal undertaking 
on the part of the recipient only to use the material for reconstruc- 
tion purposes, are made by the comptoir central on behalf of the 
ministry of blockade either against cash payment or by debiting 
their value to potential indemnities of war damages. — [Journal of 
Commerce, New York, N. Y., Dec. 23, 1918.] 

Demobilized Soldiers' Bonus. 

In addition to a provision for soldiers' families during periods of 
unemployment, sums ranging from 250 to 410 francs are being 
paid soldiers immediately upon demobilization. — [Post, Washing- 
ton, D. C, Dec. 27, 1918.] 
Franco-American Board of Commerce and Industry. 

The Franco-American Board of Commerce and Industry was 
formed December 26, 1918, by French officials and commercial rep- 
resentatives to develop American markets for French manufacturers. 
Headquarters where French goods will be exhibited are to be estab- 
lished in New York and branches will be established in France. — 
[Sun; Herald, New York, N. Y., Dec. 27, 1918; Wall Street Journal, 
Dec. 28, 1918.] 
Reconstruction of French Railway lines. 

A bill has been passed for the restoration of the railways to their 
prewar condition. The necessary rolling stock will be purchased by 
the State. Authority is given to the minister to guarantee extra 
bonuses for the staff on the main lines equal in amount to the bonuses 
paid to Government servants. The total expenditure has been fixed 
at 600,000,000 francs, 480,000,000 of which will go to pay the staff, 



FRANCE. 45 

and 120,000,000 will be available for the reconstruction work. — 
[Journal des Debats, Jan. 2, 1919.] 

Housing Reforms. 

In order to bridge the gap between the indemnity and the value 
of destroyed homes, and to insure model planning from the stand- 
point of sanitation and beauty, a patriotic organization, le village 
reconstitute, is offering premiums to villages that will accept stand- 
ard plans drawn up by famous architects for the rebuilding of their 
villages. The town councils are free to choose their architects and 
contractors. — [Star-Eagle, Newark, N. J., Jan. 2, 1919.] 

Young Women's Christian Association Foyers. 

The food and recreation centers established by the Young Women's 
Christian Association in all large manufacturing centers during the 
war are to be continued, to help the French women in industry in 
the present industrial crisis. French women have asked that the 
withdrawal of the personnel of these centers may be gradual enough 
to permit the French to carry on the work without interruption. — 
[Living Church, Milwaukee, Wis., Jan. 4, 1919.] 

Readaptation of Private Factories. 

The minister of finance has been authorized to bring in a bill for 
the readaptation of private factories which have been working for 
the national defense. These establishments will receive important 
orders for materials needed by the administration of the post office, 
telephones, telegraphs, for the reconstruction of the French mer- 
chant marine, and also orders for agricultural machinery. The 
former minister of armament will distribute orders among private 
factories for the manufacture of tools and other articles much 
needed in the country. The expense which it will be necessary 
for the country to assume in this connection amounts to some 
2,000,000,000 francs ($400,000,000).— [Report of U. S. commercial 
attache, Nov. 27, 1918, Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, 
Jan. 6, 1919, p. 49.] 

Ministry of Industrial Reconstruction. 

The important economic problems now before the country and 
the necessity for coordinating all efforts to secure the best possible 
transition between war and peace have rendered necessary the trans- 
formation of the ministry of armaments and munitions into a min- 
istry of industrial reconstruction, to assure the best economic utiliza- 
tion of the resources and of the industries which the war has de- 
veloped or created. The organization which, during the continua- 
tion of hostilities assured the construction of a considerable plant, 
the control of mines, the distribution of fuel, and of metallurgic 
manufactures of all sorts was first relieved of certain services which 



46 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. 

would naturally return to the ministry of war from whence they 
were taken. All the other services pertaining to the ministry of 
armaments and munitions remained with the ministry of industrial 
reconstruction. In utilizing these organizations its principal duties 
are: 

1. To assure by every means and in conjunction with the minis- 
tries interested, the development of industrial production of all 
kinds according to available labor and raw material and according 
to the needs of the Republic. 

2. To distribute among French industries the orders given by the 
different ministers in agreement with those ministries. 

During the war the ministry of armaments has directed the dis- 
tribution of all products utilized in metallurgic or chemical indus- 
tries. He will retain control of all products which require to be dis- 
tributed, this control to disappear progressively with the return of 
economic equilibrium. The minister of this new department will 
assist in the preparation of projects relating to the increase of 
national production. A program has been elaborated with the object 
of adapting munitions factories to peace industries. Thus a vast 
arsenal will be devoted to the rebuilding of old and the construc- 
tion of new railway material; explosive factories will manufacture 
chemical fertilizers ; and shops which have been working in wood for 
aviation will manufacture windows, doors, and other parts for 
building construction, etc. — [L'Economiste Francaise, Nov. 30, 1918; 
Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Jan. 6, 1919, p. 49.] 

Reconstructing the Devastated Region. 

In a report submitted by the American commercial attache in 
Paris, an account is given of a visit to the devastated regions of 
northern France, and attention is called to the problems facing the 
French people and the part which America can take in the reconstruc- 
tion of these areas. The problem, as seen by him, is one of social 
engineering in the solution of which great weight must be given 
to the local tastes, prejudices, laws, and. needs in each area. 
The organization and execution of the work of reconstructing is a 
task which must largely fall upon the French people. America will 
have to supply French factories with raw materials that France 
does not produce and to fill in certain gaps which at present exist in 
French industries. In anticipation of the part to be taken by Amer- 
ica, it is recommended that facts be gathered bearing on the French 
problem and that an effective export selling organization be created 
to respond to the call that France will ultimately make upon our 
cooperation. — [Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Jan. 
15, 1919, p. 209.] 



FKANCE. 47 

Economic Organization. 

The commission appointed to inquire into the economic organiza- 
tion of France has submitted its report to the Government. The 
most important points are : 

Credit: French capital must be prevented from leaving the coun- 
try. It should be used for the development of French industry and 
agriculture. 

Export trade: A department for establishing a long-dated credit 
for export trade and for acquiring information essential for export- 
ers should be established. Consuls should be experts in economic 
questions. 

Transport : Railway rolling stock must be increased, and modern 
loading machinery purchased. A revision of freight rates is neces- 
sary. Inland waterways must be improved and connected more sat- 
isfactorily with the railways. The maritime transport service must 
be developed. 

Customs : The tariffs must be revised. 

Foreign propaganda : It is essential to carry on an active propa- 
ganda in foreign countries to make France and her products better 
known. — [Temps, Jan. 16, 1919.] 

Loans for Agricultural Workers. 

The general council of the Loire department voted a sum of 600,- 
000 frances ($115,800) to be issued for the purpose of encouraging 
agricultural enterprises and the repopulation of the farming dis- 
tricts. A minimum of 8 to 10 hectares (about 20 to 25 acres) may be 
alloted to each agriculturist not over 30 years of age, if not mobilized, 
and not over 35 years of age, if mobilized, who will promise to re- 
main 10 years at the head of his farm. A fixed premium of 1,000 
francs ($193) worth of farming implements, ($96.50) worth of 
agricultural implements for each 10 hectares (about 25 acres), or a 
total up to 2,000 frances ($386) is granted, to be refunded within 15 
years. If children are born after taking possession of the farm, parts 
of this loan are canceled according to the number of children. — 
[Eeport of U. S. consul at St. Etienne, Official U. S. Bulletin, Jan. 
18, 1919, p. 32.] 

Suspension of French Iron and Steel Consortium. 

The French ministry of industrial reconstruction had announced 
that the control of the iron and steel consortium over imports was 
withdrawn from January 2, 1919, and the stocks on hand are being 
liquidated. The consortium will continue to exist solely for the 
liquidation of stocks of iron and steel now held in various parts of 
France. — [Cablegram from the clerk to the U. S. commercial at- 
tache at Paris, Jan. 16, Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Com- 
merce, Jan. 23, 1919, p. 353.] 



48 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. 

Agricultural Machinery Needed. 

The agricultural machinery needed by France, according to the head 
of the American Eed Cross reconstruction work in Paris, is of the fol- 
lowing variety: 81,000 plows, 56,000 cultivators, 30,000 mowing ma- 
chines, 115,000 farm wagons, 88,000 harrows, 50,000 rollers, 48,000 
hoes, 36,000 seed drills, 13,000 fertilizers, 16,000 belt extractors, 21,000 
winnowing machines, 18,000 horse-drawn rakes, 32,000 reapers and 
binders, and 53,000 root cutters, besides other farm implements. 
There are now no horses in the devastated portions of France. — 
[Commerce Eeports, U. S'. Dept. of Commerce, Jan. 23, 1919, p. 363.] 

Export Prohibition. 

The French minister of blockade has decided upon the revision of 
the list of prohibited exports, which is in contemplation, all goods 
covered by a direct bill of lading to their port of destination, made 
out at the port of shipment, may be reexported from France with- 
out special authorization, after transit through or transshipment in 
that country, to all Allied countries and to neutral countries other 
than those in the neighborhood of Germany. This facility is also 
extended to the northern neutrals, so far as concerns goods which 
may be exported to those countries without the formality of a guar- 
antee certificate. — [Annales des Douanes, Jan. 15, 1919; British 
Board of Trade Journal, Jan. 23, 1919, p; 116.] 

Disposal of War Stores. 

The French minister of finance has set up a special office (office de 
liquidation des stocks) responsible for the disposal and sale of stocks 
of miscellaneous war stores, animals, materials, and goods of all sorts, 
surplus to the requirements of Government departments; including 
those handed over by Allied Armies for disposal, and also stocks 
abandoned by the enemy. The various State departments are re- 
quired to notify this office, of stocks available, and it will provide for 
their storage, transport, and sale. — [British Board, of Trade Journal, 
Jan. 23, 1919, p. 102.] 

Reorganization of Ports. 

The inadequate equipment and organization of the chief seaports 
of France have during the war occasioned great wastage of foodstuffs 
and other imported goods, and merchant shipping has been held up 
in overcrowded ports at a time when the full utilization of all tonnage 
was of the utmost importance. The conference of port and dock 
workers, in trying to introduce reforms, has pointed out that the first 
requisite for reorganization is that the working machinery of the 
harbors should be nationalized instead of remaining the property of 
private firms; that electric cranes should be provided to permit of 
extra speed in loading and unloading; that new gangways must be 
constructed in order that large ships may draw up alongside more 



FRANCE. 49 

quickly ; and that capacious warehouses must be built for perishable 
merchandise. The conference further emphasizes the necessity for 
the solution of general transport problems, such as the development of 
railways and canals.— [Europe Nouvelle, Jan. 25, 1919.] 
Rebuilding Devastated Areas. 

The office of agricultural reconstruction of the ministry of blockade 
and of the liberated regions has been voted a credit of $60,000,000 and 
a revolving fund of $20,000,000 for its work; and the office of indus- 
trial reconstruction of the same ministry, a credit of $50,000,000 and 
a revolving fund of $20,000,000. It is expected that the Chamber of 
Deputies will pass a bill granting full payment for every kind of 
damage, including any extra expenses caused by the increased cost of 
Hying, materials, and labor. In the meantime, advances in cash or in 
kind up to 90 per cent of the appraised property damage are being 
made to people who wish to reestablish their property without 
delay. A law has been put into effect providing that the State could 
requisition the piled-up ruins of buildings to work over for new 
buildings. A furniture indemnity law will also be passed which 
provides for paying damages for furniture loss up to $2,000, and a 
decree has been issued which allows the individual who has suffered 
loss of furniture to buy his own furniture with an advance, which 
will be made to him by the State, of a sum not exceeding $200 for the 
head of the family and $40 for each other member of the family. If 
the person prefers, the State will provide him with the furniture 
out of the stock which it is accumulating.— [Geo. B. Ford, in Engi- 
neering News-Record, New York, N. Y., Jan. 30, 1919, pp. 218-226.] 
Forestry Scheme Planned by Norwegians. 

A forestry party of about 50 Norwegians fully equipped with trees, 
tools, tents, and stores is to be sent from Norway to assist in the 
restoration of the devastated parts of France by planting a belt of 
Norwegian forest trees. It is intended to begin operations this 
spring. The tentative zone for planting the belt of trees is from the 
Ardennes toward the Belgian frontier behind Arras, where there 
formerly was fine forest; but action will be taken in accordance with 
the desires of the French.— [Canada Lumbermen, Toronto, Canada, 
Feb. 1, 1919; Commerce Reports, Feb. 8, 1919, p. 621.] 
Mercantile Marine. 

Maurice Loir, founder of the Ligne maritime francaise in 1898, 
has published a pamphlet of 60 pages, wherein he pleads for the 
maintenance and increase of the French Navy and mercantile marine. 
The four years of war, he says, have shown how much France de- 
pends upon her shipping, and it is imperative, for future prosperity, 
to have an adequate mercantile marine, first-rate commercial ports, 
115488—19 4 



50 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. 

and a first-class navy. In the four years 1913-1918, France paid 
about 11,000,000,000 francs to foreign shipowners. — [Le Petit Mar- 
seillais, Feb. 5, 1919.] 

Restoration of Forests. 

An important part of the great work of reconstructing the de- 
vastated sections of France will be the restoration of forests. Neces- 
sarily this will be slow and tedious, and help will be asked from the 
outside. A plan now in contemplation involves the planting of 250 
acres annually for five years by Norway, which has a superabundance 
of trees.— [Times, Troy, N. Y., Feb. 5, 1919.] 

Summary of Damage of France in the War. 

A hasty investigation since the signing of the armistice shows the 
total destruction in France of something like 500,000 buildings dam- 
aged and at least 250,000 buildings completely destroyed. This de- 
struction of buildings is estimated at $6,000,000,000 by the Govern- 
ment engineers. The total cost of repairing and replacing the used 
or destroyed public works is estimated at about $2,000,000,000. The 
Nord railroad alone has lost 1,731 bridges and 338 stations. It is 
estimated that 250,000 acres are rendered uncultivable by the war. 
The total damage in the north of France, including buildings, agri- 
culture, industry, furniture, and public works, is estimated at about 
$13,000,000,000. These were the figures reported for the committee 
on budget in the Chamber of Deputies, December, 1918. — [Article in 
New York Times by George B. Ford, Eesearch Department, Ameri- 
can Red Cross in France; Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Com- 
merce, Feb. 8, 1919, p. 629.] 
Reoccupation of Devastated Land. 

The French Parliament passed a law during the war whereby 
abandoned farms which from lack of labor and cultivation are un- 
productive can be reoccupied by refugees who would bring the soil 
back to productivity. For their efforts they will be allowed by 
their Government $75 an acre. The American Committee for De- 
vastated France took over two large farms whereon it established 
many refugee families and gave them shelter and occupation in culti- 
vating the neglected areas. It applied to the French Government 
for an allowance under this law and received $30,000. This action 
has set a precedent which will be of inestimable value to all farmers 
in France. — [American, Baltimore, Md., Feb. 16, 1919.] 

French Telephone Service Resumed. 

Telephone communication between the various departments of 
France, which has been suspended since the beginning of hostilities, 
was resumed February 16. Only the narrow zones bordering the 
Swiss and Spanish frontiers are excepted. — [Tribune, New York, 
N. Y., Feb. 17, 1919.] 



FRANCE. 51 

Materials for Reconstruction. 

In its work of reconstruction of the devastated districts, there will 
be a need of millions of dollars worth of materials, steel, machinery, 
and agricultural implements, and America is the one ration in a 
favorable position to bid for this gigantic market. It is believed that 
the import bars which have been up since the armistice went into 
effect will be removed. — [American, New York, N. Y., Feb. 18, 1919.] 

Financing War Debt. 

As part of his financial policy, the minister of finance announced 
the institution of a tax on capital spreading over a number of years, 
making evasion impossible ; continued appeal to the public for credit 
at reduced interest rate, minimum taxes, etc. ; and possible request 
for an interallied loan. — [Star, Washington, D. C., Feb. 19, 1919.] 
Reconstruction in the liberated Regions. 

The ministry of finance presented to the Chamber of Deputies "pro- 
visional credits for exceptional military and civil expenditures for 
the second quarter of 1919. Among other items, the bill calls for an 
expenditure of 62,000,000 francs for reconstruction of industries and 
1,256,000,000 francs for the needs of the liberated regions. — [Times, 
New York, N. Y., Feb. 21, 1919.] 

Dutch Government to Help in Reconstruction. 

The Dutch Government sent a commission to Paris, which will 
study the requirements of the liberated territories and the measures 
suitable for Holland to take in order to assist in the work of re- 
construction there. The preliminary interviews with the French 
authorities have shown that Holland's assistance will be most useful 
in the matter of supplying building materials, agricultural machin- 
ery, and live stock. Her help will also be welcome in other direc- 
tions, such as the rebuilding of houses and factories, for supplying 
dredges, tugs, lighters, barges, and engines, as well as technical 
engineers, labor, and public works contractors. The commission has 
returned to Holland to submit its report to the Government. — [Echo 
de Paris, Feb. 21, 1919.] 

Reconstruction. 

The American commercial attache at Paris has stated that France 
will ask but very little in the way of commercial aid from the United 
States ; that certain raw materials may be needed and France is apt 
to find that she can not get along without a variety of American man- 
ufactured goods, but for the present American business men will only 
be wasting their efforts by attempting to gain a hold on the French 
reconstruction markets. He further said that during the war the 
French munition factories rapidly absorbed all refugees from the in- 
vaded districts, while every eligible man was thrust into the army. 
Now, however, there is no longer any need for extensive armament, 



52 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. 

no longer any need for a large army, and the French Government has 
a tremendous problem of unemployment to settle, and it claims the 
privilege of settling it by doing its own reconstruction. — [Record, 
Boston, Mass., Feb. 21, 1919.] 

All through the war the French Senate has had a commission 
studying the economic organization of the country for the purpose of 
understanding clearly the situation after the war. Taken in order, 
the following points sum up what the most responsible representa- 
tives of French business deem necessary now: 1. France needs all 
her own capital to develop her own and her colonies industry, trade, 
and agriculture; 2, the French manufacturers and merchants must 
organize for the purpose of exportation, " with the aid of the State, 
if need be," and develop exact and practical business information for 
the benefit of exporters, using particularly the consular service for 
this purpose; 3, the 930,000 tons of French shipping destroyed by the 
enemy must be restored, keel for keel and ton for ton, from German 
and Austro-Hungarian ships, France to buy at once 1,000,000 tons 
shipping from England and 1,000,000 tons from the United States, 
and American shipyards to be opened to French shipbuilders for the 
construction of 2,000,000 tons of freight steamers which will be 
authorized to fly the French flag; 4, a customs revision among the 
Allies is recommended, and even the establishment in France of free 
ports and free zones ; and, 5, for the Peace Treaty it is recommended 
that the freedom of the Rhine, which even Switzerland needs, be 
guaranteed and the interests of Alsace-Lorraine in mines and 
Strasburg as a port be provided for, with the settlement of all ques- 
tions of raw materials until Germany no longer has that advantage 
over France which she has gained by her destruction in war. — [Post, 
New York, N. Y., Feb. 22, 1919.] 

Reconstruction of Devastated Areas. 

The United States War Finance Corporation has stated that esti- 
mates of the French High Commission indicated that France would 
need $414,000,000 in materials from the United States early this year 
for reconstruction. This includes food, cotton, gasoline, and petrol, 
window glass, locomotives, railway cars, and agricultural imple- 
ments. The United States War Finance Corporation proposes to 
extend credits to exporters based on orders for these materials from 
the French Government or responsible French commercial inter- 
ests.— [Record, Philadelphia, Pa., Feb. 23, 1919.] 
labor Platform. 

The general federation of labor has requested Premier Clemenceau 
to create a national economic council including representatives of 
labor organizations, and having as its objectives the improvement of 
economic conditions of the country and the coordination of the coun- 
try's resources and genius. — [World, New York, N. Y., Feb. 23, 1919.] 



PRANCE. 53 

Treatment of Consumptives. 

The chief of the health service has put before the French Chamber 
of Deputies a proposed law for the treatment and care of tubercu- 
losis. He stated that France has cared for 55,000 tubercular soldiers 
during the war and that there are to-day at least 500,000 cases of con- 
sumption in France, which is a serious figure in a country which r 
even before the war, was beset by the problem of depopulation. Ther 
proposed law provides for dispensaries and hospital care wherever 
necessary, and for pensions to families when the wage worker is in 
a hospital. The estimated cost is an initial expenditure of 84,000,000 
francs and 100,000,000 francs more are to be expended annually. — 
[The Survey, New York, N. Y. 5 Mar. 1, 1919, p. 803.] 

Reconstruction of Transportation Facilities. 

The minister of public works, in a report to President Poincare y 
said that 900,000,000 francs should be expended for the construction 
of new main railroad lines, 875,000,000 francs for the construction of 
local railway lines, 350,000,000 francs for the reconstruction of 
waterways, 200,000,000 francs for building and rebuilding roads, 
and 600,000,000 francs for the reconstruction and improvement of 
maritime ports. — [American, Baltimore, Md., Mar. 24, 1919.] 

Air Traffic. 

The interministerial commission of civil aeronautics has submitted 
to the French ministry of war a report which comprises a " Project 
of international convention regarding air navigation," and proposes 
to forbid the carrying of cameras, war appliances, or ammunition 
on airships without special authorization, and to allow the contract- 
ing Governments to forbid private individuals of any nationality 
to fly over certain specified zones of their territory. Provision is 
made for the classification and registering of all airships, whether 
planes, balloons, or dirigibles, the lists to be exchanged between the 
contracting Governments. It is also proposed to standardize the 
conditions under which navigation licenses will be granted machines 
and to pilots. Various annexes to the report offer provisions for 
the standardization of lights on airships and for route and driving 
regulations, and suggest a number of distress signals which it is 
proposed to offer as a basis for an international code. — [Commerce 
Eeports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Apr. 1, 1919, p. 15.] 
Financial Aid for Restoring Devastated Provinces. 

A few days after the entry of the French troops into Alsace a 
committee was formed to raise money to assist in restoring the 
devastated northern Provinces of France. The committee has for- 
warded 1,000,000 francs to President Poincare as a testimony of the 
gratitude of Alsace to France. — [Standard, Cortland. N. Y., Apr. 1, 
1919.] 



54 FOREIGN" READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. 

Reconstruction of Devastated Areas. 

The Department- of the Somme is beginning to clean up the fields 
and lodge the laborers as near as possible to their property, so that 
when the war damages have been paid actual building can be imme- 
diately started. In each commune a new plan has been elaborated. 
The plan of the village is first drawn up, then the ruins are cleared 
away according to a recent law. The State pays for this, and each 
man is advised of the operation when the turn of his house comes, 
so that he can watch the operation, for many people have hidden 
valuables on the premises or hope to find some valued souvenir of 
their former home. Attempts are being made to get all the inhab- 
itants of each commune to put their money into a common fund, and 
maintain one building yard for each town. — [Sun, Baltimore, Md., 
Apr. 13, 1919.] 

GERMAN-AUSTRIA. 

Public Welfare. 

The sphere of activities of the ministry for the social welfare 
(ministerium fiir soziale fursorge) in Austria is to be divided into 
five main departments : The care of the young ; the care of those dis- 
abled and those bereaved by the war ; national insurance ; industrial 
legislation and the protection of the workmen; housing. The main 
object of the new ministry is the express care of the public welfare 
in general as well as the improvement of the condition of the laboring 
and less wealthy classes. Its policy will be to foster " a constant 
harmonious cooperation of Government administration with autono- 
mous bodies, and with directorates of charitable societies." — [Soziale 
Praxis, Nov. 1, 1917.] 
Relief of Unemployed During Transition Period. 

The German-Austrian secretary of state for social welfare has 
issued instructions for the formation of industrial district commis- 
sions to deal with the question of unemployment and its consequences 
during the transition period. They will be appointed by him, and are 
to consist of a chairman, vice chairman, and four to eight members, 
of whom half will represent employers and the other half the workers. 
They appoint from their number subcommittees for individual 
branches of industry and, if necessary, for particular trades in 
which employers and workpeople are to be equally represented. A 
central industrial commission will be formed at the social welfare 
office to determine general measures to be adopted for the relief of 
the unemployed, and will work through the agency of the existing 
central labor exchange. The expenses of these commissions will be 
borne by the State. Any employer who proposes to dismiss more 
than 20 workers in the course of a week will have to inform the 
local industrial commissiop. of the number and date of dismissals 



GERMANY. 55 

and the wages of those dismissed, under penalty of a fine not exceed- 
ing 2,000 marks. Arbitration officers have also been appointed. — 
[Neue Freie Presse, Nov. 5, 1918.] 
Organization for Demobilization. 

To deal with the question of demobilization in German-Austria 
the national council has appointed an industrial commission repre- 
sentative of employers and employees, which will be extended to in- 
clude mercantile and technical elements. Six hundred thousand mu- 
nition workers have to be cared for ; and the commission has already 
prepared schemes arriving at securing food for the workers, abolish- 
ing compulsion in war work, reviving peace-time production, and 
preventing immediate dismissals by arranging the date and order 
of closing down of munition works. Some relief is to be effected by 
sending off workers of foreign nationalities to their own States. — 
[Norddeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung, Nov. 7, 1918.] 
Provision for the Unemployed. 

The national council has empowered the secretary of state to carry 
through a scheme for the maintenance of the unemployed. All work- 
ers subject to sickness-insurance obligations, and belonging to Ger- 
man-Austria, receive from November 18, 1918, to February 15, 1919, 
for every day of certified unemployment an allowance to the amount 
of the daily sick pay, in most cases 4 to 6 krone, in addition to 
a daily bonus of 1 krone for every member of the family, wife, or 
child under 14 years of age who does not receive any public relief. 
Men of foreign nationality, who were previously employed in Ger- 
man-Austrian works, receive such allowance only if their own coun- 
try acts reciprocally. — [Weltwirtschaftszeitung, Nov. 29, 1918.] 
Measures to Combat Unemployment. 

The German-Austrian cabinet council has been occupied with 
various measures intended to combat unemployment. In order to 
facilitate the financial management of business concerns it is in- 
tended to establish a loan office for the transition period in order 
to advance money on future production by issuing bonds. More- 
over, an announcement is to be made that the full utilization of the 
water power in the country, and the supply of electricity, is to be 
entrusted to an electricity office. The various offices of the State 
are to consult together with regard to public works, agriculture, com- 
munications, and trade. The daily increase of unemployment neces- 
sitates the acceleration of these labors. — [Neue Freie Presse, Dec. 15, 
1918.] 

GERMANY. 

Scheme of Legislation of Social Democratic Party. 

The executive of the social democratic party submitted to the 
annual conference of the party held at "Wurtzburg a scheme of social 



56 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. 

legislation after the war. The following topics are covered in the 
scheme : 

1. Protection of labor. 

a. General. 

b. Protection of health. 

c. Daily working hours. 

d. Night work. 

e. Sunday rest. 

/. Protection of female workers. 

g. Protection of children and juveniles. 

h. Protection of home workers. 

i. Industrial inspection. 

2. Workmen's insurance. 

3. Public health. 

4. The right to strike. 

5. Reform of the labor law. 

6. Eepresentation of workers' interests. 

7. Arbitration offices. 

8. Employment exchanges and care of the unemployed. 

9. Poor law. 

10. Care of juveniles. 

11. Housing. 

12. Imperial office for social legislation. 

13. Measures on behalf of ex-soldiers, including the disabled. 
[Bremer Burgerzeitung, Oct. 19, 1917.] 

Transition Economy, Imperial Commission for. 

The imperial commission for transition economy is composed of 
the imperial commissioner and nine colleagues, of whom one is the 
deputy of the imperial commissioner, and the remainder are dis- 
tinguished representatives of agriculture, industry, commerce, and 
shipping, nominated by the imperial chancellor. Each of the nine 
is head of a department. For each one of them a general repre- 
sentative has been appointed, who is permanently engaged in the 
imperial commission. The organization is as follows : 

The imperial commissioner for transition economy ; his deputy. 
Dept. 1. Finance. 

Dept. 2. Organization for transportation. 
Dept. 3. Iron ores, manganese ores, slag, chrome, wolfram and 

molybdenum ores, timber, paper, stone. 
Dept. 4. Lead, antimony, zinc, tin, nickel, cobalt, copper, and their 

corresponding ores, china, clay, graphite, machinery. 
Dept. 5. Textiles. 

Dept. 6. Cereals, barley, maize, bran, and other albuminous feeding- 
stuffs, meat, live cattle. 
Dept. 7. Seaborne imports. 



GEEMANY. 57 

Dept, 8. Overland imports, import restriction, coal and other min- 
eral fuels, phosphates with the exception of phosphates 
and pyrites to be found in Asia Minor. 
Dept. 9. General organization of transition economy, regulations re- 
garding the amount and sequence of meeting require- 
ments, prior purchases. 
Special Dept. a. General matters relating to administration, finance, 

personnel. 
Special Dept. &. Statistics. 

The imperial commission has established expert committees and 
subcommittees for the various groups of commodities. Some of the 
above departments have subdepartments. [Norddeutsche Allge- 
meine Zeitung, February, 1918.] 
Housing, Provision for. 

The Reichstag has accepted the proposals laid before it by the 
committee for housing. This provides that the imperial economy 
office, as the central office for transition economy, is to undertake the 
direction of a systematic scheme for providing houses after the war. 
It provides 500,000,000 marks from the imperial exchequer for mak- 
ing grants and loans on reasonable terms as well as for forming a 
guarantee fund. The insurance offices, cooperative trade societies, 
and public savings banks are to invest all available sums as far as 
possible in loans on small buildings at a moderate rate of interest. 
Numerous other provisions are made to encourage construction of 
housing accommodations. — [Frankfurter Zeitung, May 12, 1918.] 

Discharged Soldiers' Welfare. 

On June 1, a reorganization of military welfare work was initi- 
ated by the establishment of special maintenance offices in all army 
corps districts. These offices are to look after the maintenance of 
and provisions for discharged soldiers of the lower ranks, and their 
dependents, as prescribed by law ; vocational advice and measures, in 
connection with the return to civilian occupations of officers and men ; 
proposals for special courses of treatment for invalids, as well as 
pensions for dependents. — [Correspondenzblatt der Gewerkschaften, 
June 29, 1918.] 

Textile Trade after the War. 

The Bundesrat on June 27, 1918, issued a decree prescribing the 
economic measures to be taken for the transition period in the tex- 
tile industry. It establishes an imperial office for textile economy, 
subordinate to the imperial chancellor, and separate imperial eco- 
nomic suboffices for cotton, wool, silk, artificial spinning materials, 
waste stuffs, flax, hemp, jute, hard fibers, and substitute fibers. The 
purpose of this organization is to remedy the grievances of the tex- 



58 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. 

tile manufacturers during the transition from war to peace econ- 
omy. — [Reichsanzeiger, July 1, 1918.] 

Disabled Soldiers, Company for Training and Giving Employment to. 

In Baden, early in 1917, a company was formed for the purpose of 
starting special centers and industries for the purpose of providing 
training and employment for disabled men. Most of the capital re- 
quired was subscribed by Baden manufacturers. The company's plan 
is to carry On industries of its own which will serve not only as train- 
ing centers but as industrial concerns in which men, who are not 
likely to hold their own in the ordinary labor market, can be em- 
ployed permanently according to their capacity. The establishments 
acquired by the company include a sawmill, a machinery construc- 
tion and repair business, a jewelry factory, and wood-working estab- 
lishments. — [Concordia, July 15, 1918.] 

Disabled Soldiers, Reinstatement in Municipal Service. 

The German Municipal Association instituted an inquiry the be- 
ginning of this year 1 as to the reinstatement by municipal authorities 
of employees who have been disabled in the war. It was found that 
all municipal authorities are agreed that their disabled employees 
must be given suitable reemployment and that they must be treated 
sympathetically, many having passed resolutions declaring rein- 
statement to be their duty. Some municipalities, however, have re- 
served the right to impose considerable limitations. — [Kommunale 
Praxis, August, 1918.] 

Housing Administration during Transition Period. 

An imperial commissariat for housing has been appointed in the 
imperial economic office for the special duty of administration in the 
housing domain during the transition period. The following duties 
were assigned to him : 

1. Distribution of available military and naval stocks of building 
materials of the army and navy, which can be dispensed with. 

2. Encouragement of the production of building materials. 

3. Control of the sale of building materials. 

4. Grant of building subsidies from funds to be supplied by the 
imperial commissariat. 

The imperial commissariat represents the state secretary of the 
imperial economic office in carrying out the above duties on his own 
responsibility. A committee will be appointed to which fundamental 
questions will be referred. — [Berliner Tageblatt, Sept. 3, 1918.] 
Transition Economy. 

The imperial economy office has prepared regulations for three 
departments of transition economy : " Colonial goods," textile indus- 
tries, and navigation. — [Oesterreichisher Volkswirt, Sept. 7, 1918.] 



GERMANY. 59 

Unemployment Relief in Transition Period. 

The Frankfort town council has approved a scheme for unem- 
ployment relief in the transition period. Unemployment relief is to 
be given, within fixed limits, to persons who have not been inde- 
pendent but earning full-time wages, and who, in consequence of 
lack of employment, require relief. Such persons are : 

1. Males over 16 who have lived for at least 26 weeks in Frank- 
fort, or who lived in Frankfort up to August 1, 1914, and were not 
in merely temporary employment. 

2. Females over 16 who live alone or manage the household, or 
are the breadwinners of husband, parents, grandparents, or brothers 
and sisters, or who before the war were full-time wage earners, pro- 
vided that they have lived in Frankfort for 26 weeks and have not 
merely come to the city to work in war industries. A schedule of 
rates of relief has been adopted. — [Norddeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung, 
Sept. 7, 1918.] 

Peace Economy Committee. 

In Hamburg a committee for the reconstruction of peace economy 
has been formed and is actively supported by the leading figures 
in the commercial world of Hamburg. — [Norddeutsche Allgemeine 
Zeitung, Sept. 8, 1918.] 
Disabled Soldiers, Fund for the Relief of. 

An appeal for contributions to the "Ludendorf fund" was 
launched in May, 1918, and was indorsed by the highest officials of 
the Empire. The purpose of the fund is not to relieve the State of 
the duty of providing pensions, but to give relief in cases where the 
law, on account of its rigidity, could not make sufficient provision. 
Many sick and internally injured soldiers were discharged without 
pensions, and are, therefore, dependent on voluntary aid. In carry- 
ing out the plans for vocational training, finding employment, pro- 
viding homesteads, etc., funds over and above the State grants are 
indispensable. — [Soziale Praxis, October, 1918.] 
Blinded Soldiers, Care of. 

The pensions and allowances for blinded soldiers vary according 
to rank, the total amount per year for a private being 1,368 marks. 
Several private funds have been created for the benefit of blinded 
soldiers. 

There are two official committees which deal solely with the welfare 
of the blind, the imperial committee for the care of blinded soldiers, 
and a committee appointed by the ministry of trade and of public 
instruction. The first named keeps in touch with all provincial or- 
ganizations and institutions for blinded soldiers, and the other 
investigates the possibility of employing the blind in factories. 
The men themselves have organized a " German League of Blinded 
Soldiers." 



60 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. 

The best methods of training the blind are being investigated. 
The various institutions for the blind in existence before the war have 
undertaken the training of blinded men, and a few institutions ex- 
pressly for service men have been established. The decision of a 
committee set up by the ministries of trade and of public instruction 
seems to be that it is quite practicable to give blinded men work in 
paper, incandescent lamp, chocolate, button, box, tobacco, pen, and 
tool factories. They find that many manufacturers are willing to 
employ them, and that the risk of accident will be quite small if 
proper protective measures are taken. — [Soziale Praxis, October, 
1918.] 

Labor Department Created. 

By an imperial decree dated October 4, 1918, matters relating to 
social policy, administered hitherto by the imperial economy office, 
are to be within the province of a special central authority under the 
direct control of the imperial chancellor, entitled the imperial labor 
department. — [Der Welthandel, Oct. 12, 1918.] 

Commercial Policies after the War. 

On the invitation of a committee representing the large commercial 
and shipping interests in Hamburg, members of the German Gov- 
ernment and Eeichstag visited Hamburg on June 15 and 16 to dis- 
cuss the main features of German commercial policies after the 
war. — [Commerce Eeports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Oct. 19, 1918, 
p. 266.] 

Disabled Soldiers, Railway Concessions for. 

German railway authorities have decided to exempt disabled sol- 
diers, when traveling on journeys undertaken for the purpose of 
obtaining treatment, training, or employment, from the 100 per cent 
increase on express-train fares. — [Hamburgischer Correspondent, 
Oct. 19, 1918.] 

Reconstruction Scheme of Trade-Unions. 

A reconstruction scheme has been drawn up by the various German 
trade-unions and associations of shop assistants and clerks, and pre- 
sented on June 30, 1917, in the form of a petition to the Bundesrat 
and the Reichstag. The demands contained therein are ranged under 
seven heads: General economic measures, food, supply employment 
exchange, discharge of soldiers and men of auxiliary service, protec- 
tion of labor, protection of soldiers and their dependents, housing. — 
[Correspondenzblatt der Generalcommission der Gewerkschaften 
Deutschlands, Oct. 20, 1918.] 

Discharged Soldiers, Clothing for. 

The national clothing office has published arrangements for pro- 
viding needy discharged soldiers with clothes, some of them made out 



GERMANY. 61 

of military uniforms. Applicants for the clothes must show that they 
are unable to buy them in the open market at prevailing prices. 
Some of the clothing will be given away free to the poorest and others 
will receive a grant of 10.14 marks toward payment. The treasury 
has granted 21,000,000 marks for this purpose. In addition the mu- 
nicipalities must allot to discharged soldiers one-third of the worn 
clothing they have collected. — [Norddeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung. 
Oct. 21, 1918.] 

Demobilization and Placement. 

The "Neue Borzenberichte " addressed a circular to a number of 
joint-stock companies with a view to ascertaining the opinions of 
their directors as to industrial prospects in the event of peace. The 
replies received differed considerably, but nearly all were agreed 
that while the first months of the transition period would be accom- 
panied by certain inconveniences, as a general rule there would be no 
lack of opportunities for employment. — [Der Welthandel, Oct. 26, 
1918.] 
Demobilization of labor, Commission for. 

In the Reichstag committee for industry and commerce it was an- 
nounced that a commission had been convened for the demobilization 
of labor.— [Kolnische Zeitung, Oct. 28, 1918.] 
Employment for the Demobilized. 

The union of employers' associations has declared its readiness to 
support the Government measures for demobilization to its utmost 
capacity by taking back, as far as possible, all men previously in their 
employ. It is expected that the Government will supply the raw 
material necessary to restart factories, and that Government contracts 
will be extended and fairly distributed in the interests of the working 
population. — [Norddeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung, Oct. 28, 1918.] 

Employers' Socio-Political Program. 

German employers' organizations are taking every opportunity 
to bring before the public, by means of the press, pamphlets, and 
speeches, their own special point of view on every economic and 
socio-political question. The argument is skillfully adduced how 
nobly German industry and private enterprise have worked together 
in the war and how fervently desired is the abolition of all State 
control. Their understanding of " social policy " is " the laying- 
down of principles for a suitable standard of living by statute and 
practice, as well as the encouragement of the individual in his work 
and his capacity for doing it, and the raising of the status of the 
worker generally by strengthening and enlarging his responsibilities." 
A wage policy is defined as being sound " when it combines the possi- 
bility of a competent livelihood for the workers with that of increased 
prosperity of the undertaking." To grant wages beyond the scale of 



62 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. 

moderate pretensions would be " to change the undertaking into a 
charitable institution " and permanently injure the whole business. 

The organizations state that wages should be profitably and suit- 
ably expended on housing and domestic requirements; that em- 
ployers of labor should cooperate with the communities and the State 
in this object; and that they will gladly promote the physical and 
mental development of employees and give advice as to the choice of 
trade, apprenticeships, and vocational training. 

The frequently advocated insurance against unemployment is dep- 
recated — unemployed should be given work, not pensions. The right 
of organization for all employees and employers is maintained. 

It is advocated that the employer must not be restricted by statute 
in his choice of employees and in his power of discharging them. 
This applies to the engagement of disabled soldiers, in which matter 
the employer must be left complete freedom of action. In public 
contracts the employer is to have the benefit of the strike clause, and 
no compulsion is to be applied to employers who consider collective 
wage agreements injurious to their establishments or industry. — 
[Soziale Praxis, Aug. 22, 1918 ; Monthly Labor Eeview, U. S. Dept. 
of Labor, November, 1918, pp. 70, 71, 72.] 

Transition Organization. 

An imperial commission for transition from a state of war to a 
state of peace was organized in August, 1916. An advisory council, 
now numbering 398 members, was appointed to assist the commission 
in financial, commercial, and industrial problems. In October, 1917 r 
Germany created an imperial ministry for national economics. — 
[Italy Today, Vol. 1, No. 5, Nov. 5, 1918, p. 7.] 

Offers for the Sale of Army Material. 

The imperial chancellor has announced that in order to provide for 
the utilization of material belonging to the army and navy and im- 
perial authorities to be set free at demobilization, a utilization office 
is being established. Its main duties will be to take over all available 
and realizable property of the army and navy and imperial authori- 
ties; to establish or reform as far as may be necessary all existing 
organizations for the realization of property; to distribute in ac- 
cordance with a fixed scale all property which is not to be realized 
by the central organizations; to determine the principles which are 
to guide the fixing of prices and their supervision; and to exercise 
general supervision over the issuing of property of this kind belong- 
ing to the army, navy, or imperial authorities. — [Weser Zeitung, Nov. 
7, 1918.] 

Housing, Grants for. 

The Bundesrat, on October 31, 1918, prepared the regulations gov- 
erning the grants towards building expenses supplied from imperial 



GERMANY. 63 

funds and fixed the first instalment at 100,000,000 marks. The ac- 
ceptance of this proposal by the Reichstag is a matter of course. 
These measures hold good only for the war and the transition period, 
as long as there is no encouragement to private persons to build and 
there is a pressing demand for housing. The Empire provides half 
the grants ; the other half is borne in common by the Federal States, 
the communities, and, in certain circumstances, by the employers. 
The grants will only be made to districts in which there is great need 
for moderate-sized dwellings. They may be given to private specu- 
lators direct, provided that they comply with certain regulations and 
accept the responsibility of seeing that the plot of ground for a period 
of 10 years is used only for building purposes ; that the rent with all 
subsidiary payments is fixed with the approval of the community; 
and that the needs of large families and of the families of ex-soldiers 
are specially to be considered.- — [Soziale Praxis, Nov. 7, 1918.] 

Demobilization Organization. 

A supreme imperial office, with the title " Imperial Office for 
Economic Demobilization," has been established, and the imperial 
chancellor has nominated a State commissary for demobilization who 
will issue all necessary regulations for the Empire and the Federal 
States in order to maintain economic life during the transition 
period. The imperial office for economic demobilization will take 
in hand all matters connected with demobilization, get into touch 
with all central provincial and local authorities, and take measures 
in conjunction with them or will act independently. The State 
commissary has appointed demobilization commissaries in the 
States and Provinces. These will form district and local commit- 
tees. The duties of the commissaries and committees will be to 
maintain the economic life, and to find employment for ex-soldiers 
and discharged munition workers. Farmers and manufacturers are 
obliged to take back those workers who were in their employ prior 
to the war whenever conditions permit. In order to employ as much 
labor as possible, working hours are to be reduced to a minimum 
of six hours per day. In weaving mills no operative is to be em- 
ployed on more than one loom. For the present, raw materials will 
continue to be controlled by the existing war organizations, but 
facilities are being arranged. A living wage will be enforced. 
Where absolutely no work is to be found the authorities are to 
furnish emergency work for which the Government will furnish 
the money. — [Deutsche Allgemeine Zeitung, Nov. 14, 1918; Kol- 
nische Zeitung, Nov. 15, 1918.] 

No Confiscation or Repudiation. 

The National Government has issued a proclamation declaring 
that it does not propose to confiscate bank and savings-bank deposits 



64 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. 

or stocks of money, whether cash, bank notes, or securities of any 
description; that it does not intend to declare subscriptions to the 
ninth or to any of the war loans to be invalid, nor to interfere with 
their legal validity. Provisions for allowances, pensions, and other 
legal claims of official employees, officers, and soldiers, the war 
disabled, and widows and orphans of these persons will remain in 
force without any modification. A similar proclamation has been 
made by the Bavarian Government. — [Deutsche Allgemeine Zei- 
tung, Nov. 13, 1918 ; Kolnische Zeitung, Nov. 16, 1918.] 
Solution of Housing Problem in Bavaria and Baden. 

The town of Ludwigshafen has acquired 250,000 square meters of 
land adjacent to the 200,000 square meters presented by a large manu- 
facturer, and proposes to divide it into some 400 building plots for 
the benefit of returning soldiers. The town of Ingolstadt contem- 
plates leasing certain town property for the same purpose. Fre- 
quently, the method adopted by the municipality has been that of 
facilitating the work of building societies by the provision of cheap 
capital and suitable land, and the introduction of efficient building 
regulations. The founding of a Bavarian building bank is also con- 
templated. — [Kommunale Praxis, Nov. 16, 1918.] 
Foreign Trade, Measures for Extension of. 

Steps have been taken to promote foreign trade by private asso- 
ciations, exhibitions abroad, and educational activities; and to cre- 
ate a foreign bureau (auslandsamt) to deal with foreign questions 
other than political. — [Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, 
Nov. 19, 1918, p. 675.] 

Gradual Demobilization of the Army. 

A demobilization army order has been issued providing as fol- 
lows: 

As demobilization can not be carried out all at once, and in the 
interests of railway traffic, discharges will take place by instalments. 

Such duties as preserving public security and order, and guarding 
prisoners and the frontiers, must be maintained ; likewise, the carry- 
ing out of the demobilization program must be guaranteed. 

Men necessary for these duties, otherwise entitled to release, will 
be retained for this service at the discretion of their respective unit 
commanders. 

Inactive officers and those of the reserve of military age are to be 
released on similar lines, older categories in accordance with their 
own personal wishes. 

Officers, noncommissioned officers, and men who belong to Alsace- 
Lorraine and do not wish to remain in the service are to be released 
as quickly as transport means permit. — [Kolnische Zeitung, Nov. 21, 
1918.] 



GERMANY. 65 

Social Measures of the New Regime. 

On November 12 the people's council published a proclamation as- 
serting that the Government, which has emerged from the revolution 
and which in its political tendency is purely socialistic, has set itself 
the task of realizing the socialistic program. The following measures 
among others have been given the force of laws : The abolition of the 
state of siege, the removal of the censorship, the liberty of expres- 
sions of opinions in speech and writing and in the practice of re- 
ligion, and amnesty for political offenses. — [Soziale Praxis, Nov. 21, 
1918.] 
Demobilization Insurance. 

In order to facilitate the return of soldiers from the western front, 
blockage zones have been established, especially at the Rhine cross- 
ings, so that the soldiers may be allotted to their own units and their 
arms may be collected. Each private soldier and noncommissioned 
officer, as soon as he leaves his reserve battalion, is to receive gratis a 
suit of clothes, the sum of 50 marks discharge money, and, in most 
cases, a further sum of 15 marks marching money. — [Soziale Praxis, 
Nov. 21, 1918.] 
Housing in Garden Villages and in Small Holdings. 

The partly State-assisted policy of settlements has made consider- 
able progress lately ; and in the country not only have sites been pro- 
cured for small farmers, rural artisans, and agricultural laborers, but 
also properties have been acquired in the vicinity of towns which are 
adapted to vegetable and fruit growing on a small scale. Thus, in- 
dustrial workers can be housed in semirural surroundings at no great 
distance from manufacturing towns. — [Deutsche Allgemeine Zeitung, 
Nov. 24, 1918.] 
Demobilization. 

The demobilization now in progress is in the main proceeding 
smoothly, though in a few isolated cases the soldiers' and workmen's 
councils have interfered with the execution of the prearranged 
schemes. Prisoners of war are being repatriated via Holland, Switz- 
erland, and the Balkan ports. Soldiers from the Ehine country, with 
certain exceptions, are being released on the homeward march. Offi- 
cers and men on leave in their homes or previous places of work were 
able to obtain certificates of discharge at the local military offices un- 
til November 30. Those who desire to remain in the army will be 
permitted to do so. In order that the economic position of the men, 
whose continued service with the forces is at present regarded as in- 
dispensable, shall not fall too short of that reached by the men dis- 
charged it has been decided to improve their pay. The following 
regulations have been laid down : 

1. Labor battalions are to be dismissed, or, if retained, are to be 
regarded as civilians. 
115488—19 5 



66 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. 

2. Soldiers who are temporarily employed on work usually in- 

trusted to civilians are to receive 50 pfennigs per hour addi- 
tional pay. 

3. Men who volunteer, after their dismissal, for special service with 

10 days' notice are to be paid 30 marks monthly, together with 
a daily sum of 5 marks for leaders and 3 marks for men. 

4. Pay will vary according to whether the troops are in barracks or 

not, but all will receive 30 marks monthly. 

The demobilization office has issued a decree to the effect that every 
member of the army or navy must undergo a medical examination 
before dismissal, in order to prevent the spread of disease. No man 
can be billeted as a private citizen without showing a health certifi- 
cate. — [Soziale Praxis, Nov. 28, 1918.] 
Demobilization, Order of Dismissal. 

The immediate release of the officials of the great economic organ- 
izations of employers and workers has already begun, as well as of 
labor-exchange officials and all school teachers. Dismissals are tak- 
ing place on the following lines: 1. Men belonging to the trans- 
port industry, including postal organizations; 2, miners and pro- 
ducers of raw materials ; that is, of coal, stone, metals, wood, building 
materials, leather, fibre, and foodstuffs; 3, men employed in gas, 
electricity, waterworks; the remainder on military principles. — 
[Soziale Praxis, Nov. 28, 1918.] 

Housing, Building Material to be "Used for. 

In order to devote the existing building material to those purposes 
most deserving of promotion from social economic consideration, the 
Bavarian building authorities have decreed that building contracts 
in the immediate future may only be undertaken for dwelling houses, 
agricultural buildings, and business and industrial erections, as far 
as these are needed to provide the people with articles in daily use: 
For other building projects the consent of the demobilization com- 
missioner is necessary before approval can be given. — [Deutsche All- 
gemeine Zeitung, Nov. 28, 1918.] 

Unemployment Relief. 

An order issued by the imperial office for economic demobilization 
requires an extensive measure of cooperation with the communes on 
the part of the trade-unions. The communes are obliged to grant 
relief to all unemployed persons who have their domicile within the 
communal district, so far as these persons can not be found suit- 
able employment under conditions reasonable and noninjurious to 
health. . The relief must be sufficient in amount, and for the indi- 
vidual unemployed person must be equal in amount to the local 
wage as fixed by imperial insurance order. Suitable additional pay- 
ments must be made to married persons and members of families. 



GERMANY. 67 

The communes will be repaid six-twelfths of their total outlay on 
unemployment relief from the imperial exchequer and four-twelfths 
from the Federal State concerned. Existing unemployment arrange- 
ments which may benefit the unemployed more than those contem- 
plated by the new order are to be maintained.— [Correspondenzblatt 
der Gewerkschaften Deutschlands, Nov. 30, 1918.] 
Debts of ex-Soldiers, Period of Grace. 

While a law of August 4, 1914, which exempts soldiers from the 
payment of their debts no longer applies when they are discharged, 
an act of June 8, 1916, provides that they shall have time to regulate 
their economic position and satisfy the demands of their creditors 
by degrees. A period of grace will be granted on application to the 
courts where immediate payment would result in hardship to the 
debtor.— [Deutsche Allgemeine Zeitung, Nov. 30, 1918.] 
Demobilization. 

According to a German wireless of November 18, 1918, a decree 
of the war ministry orders the demobilization of soldiers in the 
Fatherland consistent with the traffic possibilities and industrial life. 
The classes up to those born in 1879 will be first released, as well as 
all Alsace-Lorrainians who are not serving voluntarily, and people 
from the evacuated regions of the left bank of the Rhine and of the 
Bridgeheads, in so far as they do not belong to the 1898 and 1899 
classes.— [Daily review of the foreign press (British war office), 
Reconstruction Supplement, Dec. 4, 1918, p. 54.] 
Resettlement of Demobilized Men. 

The field marshal has issued a proclamation to the returning sol- 
diers to the effect that everything is being done to provide them with 
homesteads. Hundreds of thousands of cottages are being built for 
farmers, gardeners, and rural artisans at the public expense, and 
houses are being erected in garden cities and garden suburbs for 
those who are employed in towns, only a moderate rate of interest 
on the initial cost being required. The soldiers are urged to devote 
their energies to becoming owners of this property. The proclama- 
tion has been followed by two appeals issued by the minister of labor 
to agricultural and town workers in the army, respectively. The 
former are exhorted to return to the land, where they may easily find 
employment on account of the withdrawal of prison labor and losses 
occasioned by the war. Besides the prospect- of eventually becoming 
independent, the attraction of improved conditions is being held out. 
The old laws against agricultural laborers have been withdrawn and 
they have gained the right to combine ; so that wages and conditions 
of work may be settled, and collective bargaining by the landowners 
and workers progresses. The appeal to the town workers also urges 
everyone able to do so to get back to the land ; the advantages of 



68 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. 

such employment and the better prospects, as compared with indus- 
trial work, are emphasized, and directions are given as to the best 
procedure for finding agricultural work. — [Soziale Praxis, Dec. 5, 

1918.] 

Agricultural Program. 

The national committee for agriculture, which has gained the sup- 
port of all the farmers' organizations and laborers' unions, has 
arranged the following program : 

A farmers' and laborers' council is to be elected in every inde- 
pendent commune. Each council is to consist of at least six members, 
half of whom are independent farmers and the other half laborers 
who own no land. In each administrative area a district farmers' 
and laborers' council is to be formed, and a central council, with 
offices in Berlin, will issue orders and instructions to the district 
councils. 

The duties of these councils will be to support the authorities in 
the following ways : 

1. By cooperation in the control and care of existing stores of 
food, in the management of its delivery to those entitled to it, and 
in combating illicit trade. 

2. By maintaining agricultural industries; by promoting produc- 
tion, especially in the direction of securing seed and adopting more 
intensive methods of cultivation; by resumption of cattle breeding; 
and the encouragement of cooperation. 

3. By cooperation in the reinstatement of discharged soldiers and 
in the provision of work and housing for the latter, in accordance 
with the decisions of the demobilizing authorities. 

4. By mutual aid in the protection of persons and property. — 
[Soziale Praxis, Dec. 5, 1918.] 

Collective Agreements Between Employers and Employees. 

An agreement entered into by the general commission of the trade- 
unions with the most influential employers' organizations, on Novem- 
ber 15, has introduced collective agreements between associations of 
workmen and employers in industries where attempts in such a direc- 
tion have long been in vain. Several of the industrial employers' 
associations have informed the unions' directorate of their willing- 
ness to discuss the reengagement of discharged soldiers, and negotia- 
tions will be commenced whenever traffic conditions permit. The 
miners' unions have had negotiations with the Westphalian Mine 
Owners' Association, with the result that the latter recognizes the 
trade-unions as the legal representatives of the miners. The eight-hour 
day, inclusive of entry and exit; fixed minimum wages; a general 
rise in wages of 25 to 50 per cent ; extra pay for overtime and Sunday 
work; the abolishment of female labor as soon as possible, and of 



GEEMANY. 69 

lockout agreements by the different mines ; and the institution of the 
labor bureau of the mine owners' association on a footing of equal 
representation, are the chief concessions of the employers. Further 
points are still under discussion. — [Correspondenzblatt der Gewerk- 
schaften Deutschlands, Dec. 7, 1918.] 

Socialization of Industry. 

A statement has been issued by the commission on socialization, 
according to which it regards as its task the preparation of measures 
for placing the means of production at the disposal of the public. It 
is aware that this process must be gradual, and that the revival of 
production is the first essential for economic reorganization, and that 
the economic situation of Germany imperatively demands the re- 
sumption of the export industry and of foreign trade. For this pur- 
pose the existing organization must for the present be retained; 
similarly, the reinstating of industry requires the retention and 
extension of the credit system, and, therefore, the unimpeded func- 
tioning of the credit banks. It is not proposed to interfere with the 
existing conditions as regards property and methods of cultivation of 
the peasant population ; but it is hoped to raise the level of produc- 
tion and intensive cultivation by suitable agricultural measures, and 
by the support of cooperative societies. On the other hand, the com- 
mission is of the opinion that those branches of national economics 
which practically became private capitalistic monopolies should 
first come into consideration for socialization. The most important 
raw products, such as coal and iron, must especially be at the dis- 
posal of the public, Investigations will be made as to what other 
departments of production and sources of power are adapted for 
transference to public administration; and what other branches of 
economies, such as the insurance system and the mortgage banks, are 
fitted for socialization. The commission is aware that the success of 
socialization is dependent on increased production, which must be 
obtained by the best factory organization and the elimination of all 
unnecessary costs under the guidance of experienced technicians and 
merchants. It will be guided by the same principles, under the name 
of agriculture, in the administration of the State lands and forests. — 
[Deutsche Allgemeine Zeitung, Dec. 11, 1918.] 
Use of Commandeered Metal. 

The imperial demobilization department has issued an order re- 
garding the use of metals supplies for war purposes which, in the 
future, are to be used for peace economy. For all the stocks of metal 
in the hands of the metal-using industries that were supplied to them 
for war purposes at preferential prices, the industries are now 
obliged to pay to the war-metal corporation, in favor of the imperial 
treasury, the difference between the preferential prices at which they 



70 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. 

obtained the metal and the mean average market prices. — [Deutsche 
Allgemeine Zeitung, Dec. 11, 1918.] 

Dismissal of Disabled Employees. 

The war office has issued an order to factories engaged on army 
work forbidding the dismissal of disabled employees, unless other jobs 
hare been provided for them. The ministry of labor has issued a 
similar order throughout Prussia. — [Kolnische Zeitung, Dec. 12, 
1918.] 

Textile-Trade Restrictions. 

It is reported that the Government intends to forbid for a certain 
period of time the production of an increasing quantity of cotton, 
woolen, and linen goods. Substitutes are to be used in their manu- 
facture for the present. The Government control has for its aim the 
impartial distribution of raw materials to the different firms with a 
view to supplying work for returning soldiers, and intends to retain 
this control until the conclusion of peace assures such supplies. 
While it retains this control, it has made a concession by which it 
intrusts to the Central Woolen Trade Company the distribution of 
the stocks held by war office raw -material and woolen-supply depart- 
ments. — [Konfectionar, Dec. 12, 1918.] 

Settlement Plans for Discharged Soldiers. 

The president of the scientific commission of the war office has 
formulated a proposal for comprehensive settlement plans which will 
soon become law. The bill aims, first, to provide agricultural laborers 
with land on lease, which can be taken over by the municipalities in 
case of necessity ; and, second, to promote agricultural colonization in 
the place of large, landed properties. The latter point touches princi- 
pally the Crown lands which can be offered to public-utility settle- 
ment companies at prewar rates. — [Soziale Praxis, Dec. 12, 1918.] 
Housing, State Funds for. 

The Government has intimated to the municipal representatives of 
Greater Berlin that 58,000,000 marks would shortly be placed at their 
disposal for building expenses. The housing committee, created on 
November 7, has formed a subcommittee of six to have the control of 
the money given over by the State and to set the work in motion with 
the least possible delay, beginning with the large undertakings. Small 
dwellings are also to come under this committee. The housing com- 
mittee will proceed at once with the foundation of a recently pro- 
posed Greater Berlin settlement bank. — [Soziale Praxis, Dec. 12, 
1918.] 
Transition Economy. 

Great numbers of Dutch workmen who were discharged by Krupps 
are reported to have been reengaged. The Krupps are busy con- 
structing railway material, especially trucks, and in preparing for an 



GERMANY. 71 

extensive commercial campaign to be initiated after peace is signed. — 
[Commercial Eeports, U. S. Dept, of Commerce, Dec. 13, 1918, 
p. 1006.] 
Economic Effects of the Loss of Alsace-Lorraine. 

A discussion by the financial editor of the Berlin Tageblatt, Oc- 
tober 19, 1918, points out that Alsace-Lorraine is one of the most 
highly-developed manufacturing sections of Germany, and one of 
the chief sources of raw materials, the latter being petroleum, potash, 
and iron-ore deposits. — [Commerce Eeports, U. S. Dept. of Com- 
merce, Dec. 13, 1918, p. 993.] 
Use of Inland and Maritime Waterways. 

The demobilization department has requested the board of trade to 
assist in relieving the railway traffic by the use of shipping, as there 
is an ample amount of shipping tonnage available. The department 
urges that the inland waterways and maritime waters should be more 
extensively used. — [Kolnische Zeitung, Dec. 13, 1918.] 
Regulation of Working Hours. 

The imperial office of economic demobilization has issued an edict 
dated November 23, 1918, which regulates the carrying out of the 
eight-hour working day. The regulation applies to all workers in 
industrial undertakings, including men workers in the service of the 
Empire, the Federal States, and communes and communal associa- 
tions, even when such concerns are not carried on with a view to 
making a profit ; and to subsidiary agriculture undertakings of an in- 
dustrial nature. The regular daily working hours, exclusive of 
pauses, may not exceed eight. If this rule is departed from by 
agreement, so that the working hours are curtailed on the evenings 
preceding Sundays and holidays, the time thus lost may be made up 
on other working days. In case of general exceptions to the fore- 
going rules made necessary in industries connected with communica- 
tions, including the railways, post, and telegraph service, and called 
for by the conditions of the time, agreements must be arrived at be- 
tween those responsible for the undertakings and the workmen's asso- 
ciations. Heavy penalties are provided for violations of the rules 
prescribed in the edict. — [Correspondenzblatt der Gewerkshaften, 
Dec. 14, 1918.] 
State Lands and Money for Dwelling Purposes, Grants of. 

In Berlin a conference took place of representatives of the build- 
ing, finance, and labor ministers, the State housing commissioner, 
and the provincial authorities, with the object of providing without 
delay State lands in Greater Berlin on which to erect small dwellings. 
The chairman explained that the new Government, in furnishing the 
land necessary for this purpose, looked more to social than fiscal 
ends. It was arranged at the conference that the housing association 



72 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. 

of Greater Berlin should immediately get into touch with all the 
bodies concerned and nominate a representative whose duty it would 
be to arrange as to the extent of building land required, the style of 
buildings, and the price of land, etc. — [Kolnische Zeitung, Dec. 14, 
1918.] 

The Leather Trade, Control of. 

The control of the leather trade has been placed in the hands of the 
board of demobilization for the transition period. A new central 
committee is to be formed to superintend the working of the organi- 
zation. Subcommittees will conduct the distribution of raw material 
and finished goods. The supplies released by the army will go to the 
various distributing centers. A special reserve for the supply of 
returning soldiers is being accumulated. — [Kolnische Zeitung, Dec. 
16, 1918.] 

Standardization of Wages. 

The State labor office is preparing a regulation for standardizing 
throughout the country the legal force of wage schedules, the system 
of industrial arbitration, and the formation of employees' commit- 
tees. Until the regulations are published the alteration or reelection 
of employees' committees must be suspended even when ordered by 
workers' and soldiers' councils, in so far as the latter are not acting 
on Government instructions. — [Deutsche Allgemeine Zeitung, Dec. 
18, 1918.] 

Contracts Not Affected by Revolution. 

The change in the political situation has wrought no change in 
business obligations. The imperial office for economic demobiliza- 
tion and the council of people's delegates point out that civil law is 
still in force, so long as it has not been abolished by the order of the 
Government or by the competent offices of that body. — [Kolnische 
Zeitung, Dec. 18, 1918.] 

Ministry for Foreign Trade. 

Negotiations are being conducted between the foreign office and 
the economic office with regard to the formation of a new depart- 
ment which is to deal with foreign trade. The idea is to create a 
bureau of information to which all Government bodies and private 
business people could apply in regard to all questions relating to 
the import and export trade. In the new department these sections 
of the foreign office and economic office, which have hitherto been 
dealing with foreign trade, are to be united. A journal (Commer- 
cial, Industrial, and Agricultural News) is to be issued. The late 
German consul general in New York has been appointed to organize 
this new department on behalf of the foreign office in conjunction 
with a commissary delegated from the economic office. — [Der Wel- 
thandel, Dec. 20, 1918.] 



GERMANY. 73 

Agricultural Work for Discharged Soldiers. 

The secretary for the imperial ministry of labor has issued two 
proclamations — one urging industrial workmen to leave towns and 
overcrowded centers and lend assistance in the work of establishing 
the agricultural settlements; the other to soldiers returning home, 
warning them to avoid industrial centers and advising them to go on 
the land, where they have prospects of independence on small hold- 
ings. The appeal to returning soldiers stresses the improved status 
of agricultural workers, which results from the repeal of the clause 
refusing the right of combination to that class of workers. An act is 
stated to be under consideration which will compel municipalities 
to provide the land needed for houses and gardens. — [Correspondenz- 
blatt, Dec. 21, 1918.] 

Municipal Unemployment Relief. 

The imperial demobilization directorate compels all municipalities 
to institute unemployment relief, which is to have a legal basis dif- 
ferent from that of relief for the poor and for which the directorate 
lays down certain prescribed rules. — [Kommunale Praxis, Dec. 21, 
1918.] 

Replacement of Temporary Employees toy Demobilized Men. 

The tariff office of the cooperative association has adopted the fol- 
lowing plan of reinstating soldiers formerly in their employ by re- 
placing the following temporary employees : 

According to length of service — 

1. Women engaged to fill men's posts — 

a. Wives whose husbands are in a situation. 

h. Girls and women who have no one to support. 

c. Girls and women supporting one or two persons. 

d. All other girls and women. 

2. Male assistants — 

a. Bachelors, with no dependents. 

h. Childless married men, and bachelors with dependents. 
c. All of the men engaged during the war. 
[Correspondenzblatt, Dec. 21, 1918.] 

Transition Economy; Rationing of Industries to Provide Work. 

The secretary of state of the demobilization office has stated that 
his first aim would be to restore the men discharged from the muni- 
tion factories, or returning from the front, as quickly as possible to 
their old position. The shortage of coal and restriction of raw ma- 
terials make it difficult to obtain opportunities for work in industries. 
Great economy must be exercised with coal, and there is danger that 
initiative on the part of producers may be checked. Small, medium- 
sized concerns should be subsidized so as to relieve the unemploy- 
ment. The distribution of orders will be regulated by a new associa- 



74 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. 

tion, the Arbeitsgemeinschaft, consisting of a joint board of em- 
ployers and unions, which latter must adapt themselves to the 
changed conditions. Special technical organizations will see that 
the orders are advantageous to the entire capabilities of the industry ; 
and among the first objects of attention will be the agricultural in- 
dustry, the congestion of traffic, and shipbuilding. Efforts should 
be made to draw the masses of unemployed hands away from in- 
dustries and large towns, in order that they may work in coal mines, 
on the land, at forestry, or be engaged on emergency schemes which 
require no raw material. — [Frankfurter Zeitung, Dec. 23, 1918.] 

Employment of Disabled Soldiers. 

In answer to a demonstration of disabled soldiers at the war office, 
Berlin, the secretary of the ministry of labor announced that an order 
would soon be passed forbidding the discharge from factories of dis- 
abled soldiers, as well as the deduction of pensions from wages paid. 
At the same time, employers will be compelled to employ a certain 
percentage of disabled men. It was also promised that the imperial 
union of disabled soldiers would henceforth have voting powers in 
the administration of relief for the poor and an improvement was 
promised in the regulations for war pensions. — [Kolnische Zeitung, 
Dec. 24, 1918.] 

Reinstatement of ex-Soldiers in the Metal Industry. 

An agreement has been arrived at in the Berlin metal industry be- 
tween the association of metal works owners and the joint league of 
employees' associations, whereby employees discharged from the mili- 
tary service are, as a general rule, to be received back by the same firms 
by which they were employed on August 1, 1914, or since that time. 
Men who wish to leave the service in order to take up employment 
with their former employers are given a period of 14 days in which 
to send in their applications, while doubtful or disputed cases must 
be referred to an arbitration court. Discharges which may become 
necessary may take place by degrees and in accordance with definite 
principles. — [Soziale Praxis, Dec. 26, 1918.] 
Labor Bureau's Peace Conference Plan. 

At the instance of the peoples' commissaries, the imperial labor 
bureau, with the cooperation of the other competent offices and the 
organizations of employers, employees, and social reformers, have 
drawn up a program of social policy. This program is based, 
in the main, on the resolutions of the Laborers' Congress held 
at Leeds in July, 1916, and on those of the Berne Conference 
of October, 1917. In addition, the German program contains a 
proposal for an eight-hour day, which has become a law. The new 
German Peoples' State proclaims its firm alliance with working men 
and women throughout the world with regard to social policy, the 



GERMANY. 



75 



right of labor, social insurance, and workmen's protection. The main 
features of the program relate to domiciliary liberty, right to com- 
bine, labor conditions, labor agencies, labor market statistics, social 
insurance, protection of workers, working hours, hours of rest, home 
work, labor inspection, and international agreements. — [Soziale 
Praxis, Dec. 26, 1918.] 
Resumption of Activities. 

Unemployment is increasing in many large towns and industrial 
districts of Germany, although, judging by the advertisements in the 
papers, manufacturers are showing feverish activity in accepting new 
contracts and in taking advantage of new inventions and new proc- 
esses of production. The majority of the workers are beginning to 
realize that unreasonable wage demands are not adapted to facilitate 
recourse to new tasks and new methods. — [Soziale Praxis, Dec. 26, 
1918.] 
Labor Shortage in Certain Occupations. 

The union of employers' and employees' associations has issued an 
appeal, stating that industrial and agricultural districts are con- 
fronted by a shortage of labor caused by overcrowding in larger 
cities. The mines are undermanned, the coal famine has become in- 
tense, and factories are forced to close down. There is a lack of fuel, 
warm clothing, and housing accommodations. There is a shortage 
of labor in the iron and steel industry. Without agricultural ma- 
chinery there can be no harvest, and consequently no food. In many 
places there is a shortage of labor in the transport industry. Agri- 
culture and forestry lack men. Potatoes are still in the ground and 
threaten to rot ; there is no one to look after the cattle ; grain remains 
unthrashed. Trees have not been felled ; and there is a lack of timber 
for building, fuel, and mine props. The adjustment of the forces of 
labor is the necessity of the hour. Men out of employment must ask 
for it in agriculture and forestry. The appeal requires all men out of 
employment to apply at once to the labor bureaus and ask advice of 
the demobilization committees. The railway fares of all who change 
their place of employment will be defrayed from public funds. 
[Kolnische Zeitung, Dec. 29, 1918.] 

"Unemployment. 

The steadily increasing number of unemployed men in Coblenz and 
other towns in the occupied area is causing American officers con- 
siderable anxiety. Many of the idle men are discharged German 
soldiers. Those who can not obtain work are entitled to daily boun- 
ties of 3 marks, 50 pfennig from the city. To unemployed laborers 
work has been offered by the city at 4 marks per day ; but only a few 
have accepted, as the ordinary wage is 6 marks a day. Efforts are 
being made to restore discharged soldiers to their prewar occupa- 



76 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. 

tions, replacing, if necessary, women now holding the positions. 
There is plenty of work in the country, but officials have found diffi- 
culty in inducing laborers to leave the cities, particularly in a time 
of social unrest like the present, [Times, New York, N. Y., Dec. 31, 
1918.] 

Demobilization. 

On October 29, 1918, a commission for the demobilization of wage- 
workers was appointed consisting of representatives of the imperial 
authorities, the Federal Government, industry, trade, agriculture, the 
salaried classes, and the labor organizations. This commission had 
appointed a committee of nine members who in consultation with the 
military authorities, the communes, and the most important trades 
were to make the requisite preparations as speedily as possible. 
Plans were prepared for a system of unemployment relief both for 
wageworkers and salaried employees. Orders for public works 
which had been suspended were distributed immediately and new 
works started. [Monthly Labor Eeview, U. S. Dept. of Labor, 
January, 1919, pp. 74-76.] 

Foreign Trade Before the War. 

The United States Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce has 
issued a statistical report showing the prewar German trade with 
each country by articles in such detail that the goods ordinarily in 
demand in the various markets can be conveniently ascertained. — 
[Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Jan. 8, 1918, p. 97.] 
Excessive Demands of Industrial Workers. 

Many manufacturers complain that the excessive demands of Ger- 
man workers threaten industrial chaos. Among the demands are 
that a workers' council be associated with the employer with authority 
to discriminate concerning the dismissal and engagement of em- 
ployees and the control of the profit-bearing capacity of the business ; 
a supplement to wages from August 1, 1914; the establishment of a 
Christmas box amounting to a full month's salary, a 40-hour week 
and a 20 per cent increase of salary. [Journal of Commerce, New 
York, N. Y., Jan. 15, 1919.] 

Centralization of Imports. 

The imperial food minister, in answer to numerous requests for the 
abolition of the central purchasing company and the release of im- 
ports from central control, has announced that present conditions make 
the maintenance of this central control more urgently necessary than 
ever. Exports from neutral States are still prohibited ; only specific 
quotas are released for exports and all exports outside such quotas 
are reckoned upon the German quota as soon as they come to the 
knowledge of the neutral Government's concern. Under a system of 
free importation, Germany would have to pay intolerable prices 



GERMANY. 77 

and the prices on the home markets in the exporting countries would 
also reach heights intolerable for the population. — [Munchener 
Nachrichten, British Board of Trade Journal, Jan. 16, 1919.] 
Reconstruction of World Trade Relations. 

A limited liability company has been formed in Germany for the 
purpose of reconstructing the world trade relations of German in- 
dustrial undertakings, and to reestablish agencies and warehouses 
abroad. [Frankfurter Zeitung, British Board of Trade Journal, 
Jan. 16, 1919, p. 83.] 
Immigration After the War. 

In May, 1918, there was started in Germany the " reichsstelle fur 
deutsche auswanderung und riickwanderung " to work for the re- 
turn of Germans from foreign countries and, at the same time, to 
guard and replace their former properties. [Svensk Handelstidning, 
Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Jan. 17, 1919, p. 260.] 

Shipping After the War. 

Germany's merchant fleet has been reduced by more than 50 per 
cent, but the German shippers are firmly convinced that the remain- 
ing 2,500,000 tons of cargo space is sufficient to satisfy Germany's 
requirements, provided they are subjected to no unnecessary restric- 
tions and are given a free hand. They still maintain the standpoint 
that the placing of cargo space in the unrestricted hands of the ship- 
ping firms guarantees that it will be used in the best possible way and 
that, given a sound economic policy, the provision of cargo space 
should be a comparatively easy task for transition economy.— [Ham- 
burgicher Correspondent, Jan. 22, 1919.] 

Finance. 

The minister of finance told the German National Assembly that 
credits of $6,325,000,000 were needed. Of this amount $75,000,000 
would be needed for building houses. Total German credits and 
loans now aggregate $35,000,000,000 not including $1,500,000,000 in 
treasury notes. Bank bills in circulation amount to $10,875,000,000 — 
[Wall Street Journal, 'New York, N. Y., Feb. 15, 1919.] 
American Plants in Germany. 

The German custodian of enemy property announces that American 
factories in Germany are intact and in readiness to restart operations 
as soon as the Peace Treaty is signed. The American factories have 
been operated under German supervision and accounts kept of the 
surplus profits which will be available to the owners after a 1 per 
cent charge for bookkeeping and the war tax have been deducted.— 
[Wall Street Journal, New York, N. Y., Feb. 18, 1919.] 
Unemployment. 

There are 1,000,000 unemployed in Germany, one-fourth of whom 
are in Berlin. Agriculture needs labor, but the workingmen of the 



78 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. 

cities do not want to go to the country and the farmers do not desire 
their unskilled help. Unemployment will continue and will increase 
in Germany until raw materials are furnished in sufficient quantities 
to permit of the reopening of industrial establishments. — [Berlingske 
Tidende, Copenhagen, Denmark, Feb. 22, 1919.] 
Chambers of labor for Socialization of Mining Industry. 

On February 8 the National Government issued a decree estab- 
lishing chambers of labor for the mining industry. It is planned 
that a chamber of labor shall be established for the coal mining 
industry of the Ruhr district, and also for that of Upper Silesia. 
Similar chambers may be established for other districts and other 
departments of the mining industry. It will be the duty of the 
chambers of labor, each in its own district, to collaborate in the 
preparation of measures for exercising a comprehensive influence 
upon mining throughout Germany, and for securing to the whole 
community a share of the profits — i. e., for the socialization of 
mining. With this object the chambers of labor will collect in- 
formation, expert opinions and suggestions, and will take steps to 
secure representation on all associations for the control and disposal 
of the products of the mines. The chambers of labor will pay due 
regard to the collective interests of the industry, as well as to the 
special interests of employers and workpeople. In this task they 
will have the advice and support of the State and communal authori- 
ties, and their cooperation in the carrying out of all socio-political 
and hygienic measures. The number of members in a chamber of 
labor will be at least 20, of whom 10 shall be elected by the em- 
ployers and 10 by the workpeople. The expenses of the establish- 
ment and working of the chambers of labor shall in the first instance 
fall upon the communal authorities of the district in which the 
works represented by the chambers are situated. The cost will then 
be calculated and apportioned equally between the employers and 
wageworkers concerned. — [Deutscher Reichsanzeiger, Feb. 22, 1919; 
British Labor Gazette, March, 1919, p. 87.] 

Preparations for Reentering World Markets. 

German business circles fully realize that the signing of peace will 
only mean the beginning of a new and even harder commercial war, 
and that all the resources of business will be required to put industrial 
Germany on a sound defensive basis. The German press announces 
several large measures which are either partly carried through or 
projected, and which involve the efforts of various lines of trade to 
bulwark themselves for the coming struggle. A veritable network of 
organizations is growing up, which may be divided into two groups, 
those which are commercial-scientific and those which are purely 
commercial. The technical fair recently planned in Leipzig will 



GREECE. 79 

undertake to promote the trade interests of manufacturers of ma- 
chinery, electrical apparatus, tools, chemicals, factory equipment, 
railway rolling-stock, etc. It expects to develop and encourage the 
German inventive genius and, through a suborganization known as 
the broker's bureau, will advertise new technical ideas and attempt 
to make commercial applications of all kinds of technical inventions. 
The company for home and foreign undertakings, Hamburg, is plan- 
ning a series of broad-scope measures for the revival of trade and 
the placing of German goods. The Germans believe that one of the 
requisites for increasing commercial relations with foreign countries 
is the dissemination of information concerning business opportuni- 
ties abroad and the cultivation of a broad and thorough study of con- 
ditions in foreign markets. Special commissions have been ordered 
organized for the study of foreign countries and to collect business 
and political information, which will be sent out publicly by an infor- 
mation bureau. — [Commerce Eeports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Mar. 
17, 1919, pp. 1265, 1266.] 
Commission to Stimulate Industrial Production. 

The minister of finance announced on May 7 the creation of a 
national commission of three cabinet members to stimulate indus- 
trial production, so that Germany can pay for foodstuffs in manu- 
factured articles as well as in gold. "There are," the minister said, 
" four means of payment — gold, foreign securities, credit, and manu- 
factures. It is impossible for Germany to reduce further her 
dwindling gold supply, and the credit of the country has been weak- 
ened by a superfluity of paper money. Manufacturers, therefore, are 
the only remaining source. It is necessary to loosen the bonds which 
hitherto have restricted foreign trade in such a way that neither the 
local consumers nor the general interests are damaged. The measure 
must be taken with great speed. The commissioners must have great 
power so as to break down technical difficulties. Germany has many 
things it can export, and can make more." — [Times, New York, 
N. Y., May 9, 1919.] 

GREECE. 

Reconstruction Organization. 

The Greek minister of national economy is inviting several heads 
of industrial affairs to deliberate with him in order to establish an 
economic policy for Greece in the future. The subjects under discus- 
sion are to be : 1. The advantages and instruction Greece has obtained 
from the war ; 2, the best way of finding fuel for the factories, includ- 
ing the adaptation of the boilers; 3, the encouragement of private 
initiative by the State ; 4, how the mechanical industries can best help 
industry in general, and how best to furnish raw materials to the 



80 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. 

different industries, also the conditions of the various industries; 5, 
food conditions and munitions; 6, how to strengthen existing indus- 
tries and create new ones ; 7, industrial legislation and elementary and 
secondary technical instruction. Two manufacturers will be ap- 
pointed to present a preliminary report on each subject. — [Messager 
d'Athenes, June 5, 1918.] 
Nationalization of Mines. 

The lignite mines at Fiorina are to become State property. This 
is the first step toward the acquiring by the State of all mines in 
Greece. — [Messager d'Athenes, Sept. 19, 1918.] 

HUNGARY. 

(See also Austria-Hungary.) 
Transition Economy. 

The Hungarian minister for transition economy has secured the 
appointment of a number of honorary commissioners for transition 
economy who are to assist his department as advisers, inquiring 
agents, and supervisors. They will have much to do in the work of 
demobilization, when they can act as civilian advisers to the return- 
ing soldiers side by side with the military advisers. Transition econ- 
omy commissions are also being organized and their work will be co- 
ordinated with that of the commission by a provincial inspector for 
transition economy to be appointed. — [Wirtschaftszeitung der Zen- 
tralmachte, Mar. 15, 1918.] 
Transition Organization. 

The Hungarian minister of trade has submitted to the landesindus- 
trieamt a proposal for a united provincial direction of Hungarian 
industry. The new organization is to insure supplies and fair dis- 
tribution of raw materials after the war, and must reorganize many 
businesses, concentrating the same, insisting on specialization for 
others, and observation of a rigid economy in all. Besides such tech- 
nical questions, the organization would deal with all workmen's dis- 
putes, labor agencies, and unemployment relief, and arrange matters 
between employers and employees, as well as expert agreements be- 
tween foreign countries and Hungary.— [Neue Freie Presse, May 7, 
1918.] 
Agriculture Reforms. 

In Budapest an agricultural council has been formed, among its 
members being representatives of the owners of moderate-sized estates 
and small holdings. This body, in conjunction with the national 
council, will supervise agricultural reforms. Following are some of 
the projected reforms outlined by the ministry of agriculture: The 
first measure adopted has been to put a stop to the commandeering 



HUNGAEY. 81 

of live-stock fodder. The next step will be to carry out a reform of 
landownership which will give the land to the great masses of the 
people, on the principle that land belongs to the man who tills it. It 
is proposed that the Government should acquire at a reasonable price 
the greater part of the estates of the communes, churches, and finan- 
cial institutions, parcel them out into small holdings as far as possible 
equal in size, and hand them over to farmer applicants, on the under- 
standing that amortization shall be completed within 50 years. 
Every incumbrance on land and property will be removed. On an 
average each small holding will contain about 14 acres. The council 
has many other schemes for developing agriculture in order to give 
work and wages to ex-soldiers, and so ameliorate the conditions of 
the transition to peace economy agreement. 

By the establishment of chambers of agriculture and active propa- 
ganda in favor of increased production, it will soon be possible to 
increase the yield of the harvests. These chambers will be organized 
on a thorough democratic basis, each individual who cultivates at 
least If acres of land being compelled to be a member of the chamber. 
Similar organizations will be combined in district chambers and 
these again in a national chamber. — [Weltwirtschaftszeitung, Nov. 
22, 1918.] 

Finance Program. 

The head of the finance ministry of Hungary has outlined the fol- 
lowing program : To establish a special Government committee in the 
finance ministry charged with the care of the finance system of the 
village communities. Preparations are being made for a levy on capi- 
tal and stern measures will be adopted to meet any possible occasion 
for evasion. The department responsible for direct taxation has been 
requested to work out a scheme for adding a progressive surtax to 
existing direct taxes, which is expected to yield a surplus revenue of 
500,000,000 krone. A similar progressive surtax will be added to the 
inheritance tax. Small incomes and capital in small amounts will be 
left free of taxation. The management and control of Government 
factories and industrial undertakings will be placed in the hands of 
workmen's organizations, and an agreement has already been arrived 
at between the Government and the iron and metal workers' trade 
union. This cooperation with the trade-unions will leave the techni- 
cal and commercial management of the works undisturbed. The 
finance ministry will take its full share in directing the Government 
policies with regard to landed estates. The Government is in com- 
munication with the central credit cooperative societies which, with 
their network of village organizations, are best suited to keep in 
touch with agricultural populations. 
115488—19 6 



82 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. 

The first few days of its existence the Hungarian Peoples' Govern- 
ment has decided to close all the war central offices, in order to per- 
mit the return of unrestricted trade. — [Weltwirtschaftszeitung, Nov. 
22, 1918.] 
Water-Power Development. 

The Government will develop a uniform system of waterworks in 
the form of a monopoly, and will sell the electric power to industrial 
and other concerns. After the conclusion of peace, with the aid of 
a Government loan, it is hoped to erect waterworks developing at 
least one million horsepower, which would suffice to cover the motive 
power required by the industrial and agricultural concerns of the 
country. It is expected to place drainage and irrigation under the 
Government management, as also the production of wine and fruit, 
which might become one of Hungary's main sources of revenue. — 
[Weltwirtschaftszeitung, Nov. 22, 1918.] 

Unemployment Relief. 

At a session of the industrial demobilization council, recently held 
in the ministry of war, at which representatives of industry and labor 
were present, the following principles for demobilization were de- 
cided upon: The workers belonging to mining companies who are 
now being discharged from the army are to apply for work to the 
company; the nonorganized workers, to the national labor exchange 
office. Those who, in consequence of a prospective shortage of coal, 
obtain no employment receive a State grant to an amount which takes 
into consideration the present conditions of living, but does not equal 
the sum which they might earn. 

This grant will be paid to organized workers by the companies and 
to nonorganized workers by the national labor exchange office. The 
question of a shortened working day and better housing has also 
engaged the attention of the council. — [Weltwirtschaftszeitung, Nov. 
22, 1918.] 

Resumption of Work in Coal Mines. 

The minister of labor has ordered miners to resume work in the 
coal mines. This entails the return of workmen to the coal and iron 
works connected with the mines. Men unemployed are urged to 
apply to the labor bureaus for employment on the railways and other 
important public works. Factories standing idle have to telegraph to 
the provincial coal commission within four days the amount of their 
coal reserve. — [Kolnische Zeitung, Dec. 12, 1918.] 

All State Debts to be Honored. 

The newly appointed Hungarian finance minister is reported to 
have said that all State debts and loans will be honored, interest will 
be promptly paid, and obligations will be duly redeemed at their full 
nominal value. Hungary's future and its entire economic program 



INTERNATIONAL. 83 

make this essential. Moreover, the Government realizes that in the 
future it will be financially dependent on the present neutral States. 
The open credit of Hungary will be universally respected not only by 
the Radicals but by the Social Democrats. — [Deutsche Allgemeine 
Zeitung, Dec. 14, 1918.] 

INDIA. 

Development of Water Power. 

The Government of India has recently addressed a letter to each 
of the provincial governments with reference to undertaking a syste- 
matic survey of the water-power resources of India for the genera- 
tion- of electric energy. It has been decided that surveys of water- 
power sites can no longer be left to private enterprise, but that the 
Government must itself be responsible for the work. — [Report of 
U. S. vice consul at Calcutta, Nov. 26, 1918, Commerce Reports, U. S. 
Dept. of Commerce, Jan. 25, 1919, p. 396.] 

INTERNATIONAL. 

International labor Legislation. 

The International Association for Labor Legislation has submitted 
to the Swiss Federal Council a memorandum requesting the latter's 
support for the incorporation in the world's Peace Treaty of a pro- 
gram of international protective labor legislation. It demands : 

1. The revival of the international protective labor treaties of 
Berne of 1906. 

2. The adoption of the draft of 1913 relating to the protection of 
juvenile workers, with reservation of the right to shorten the 10-hour 
workday by the number of hours' attendance at continuation schools 
required, should attendance be made compulsory. 

3. An agreement establishing 14 years as the minimum age for ad- 
mission to employment in all industrial establishments, with the res- 
ervation of the right to raise this minimum if development of the 
continuation-school system requires it; and advancing the minimum 
age to 16 years for underground employment in mines. 

4. Fifty-four-hour week for female workers, providing for eight 
weeks' leave for woman with child, distributed over the period before 
and after confinement. 

5. Eight-hour shifts in mining and in establishments with continu- 
ous operation. 

6. The regulation by special agreement of the Sunday rest, and, in 
particular, the abrogation of the numerous exceptions from the Sun- 
day and holiday rest. 

7. Protection against industrial poisoning, prohibiting the use of 
white phosphorus in the match industry, and an international pro- 
hibition of other injurious substances (especially lead compounds 



84 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. 

for which substitutes exist) ; the international prohibition of the em- 
ployment of children and juveniles on work with such substances 
and, in establishments particularly dangerous for women, of the em- 
ployment of women also. 

8. The enactment of international safety measures for workers en- 
gaged in international transportation on water and on land. 

9. The assurance, through international agreement, of the protec- 
tion of legal claims of workers abroad against unequal treatment 
with respect to their pension claims in all fields of social insurance; 
and provision for the neutralization, even in case of war., of the in- 
surance contributions of alien workers, through the transfer of their 
claims to a neutral country. 

10. The conclusion of a special agreement regulating the labor con- 
tract in order to prevent international labor disputes. 

11. Provision for the protection of emigrant labor through inter- 
national agreements and organization. 

12. A special international agreement providing that the reports 
of supervisory officials as to the enforcement of protective laws be 
made in comparable form. — [Monthly Labor Keview, U. S. Dept. of 
Labor, November, 1918, pp. 56, 57.] 

Uniform Classification of International Foreign-Trade Statistics. 

Renewed steps have been taken toward the securing of a uniform 
classification of international foreign-trade statistics. A schedule of 
186 classes of commodities was adopted at a session of the Interna- 
tional Statistical Congress at Brussels in 1913, which was ratified by 
the principal European and 13 American countries. It was stipulated 
that each country, in addition to publishing statistics of imports and 
exports according to a classification suited to its own needs, would 
furnish annually to an international bureau of commercial statistics 
to be located at Brussels reports of imports and exports in accordance 
with the international classification. The war has delayed the estab- 
lishment of this bureau. The United States Bureau of Foreign and 
Domestic Commerce has presented a statement of imports and ex- 
ports according to this new international classification for the calen- 
dar year of 1917. — [Commerce Eeports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, 
Jan. 6, 1919, p. 52.] 
Interallied Council of Relief. 

The associated Governments have decided to establish a Supreme 
Council, consisting of two representatives each of France, Italy, the 
United States, and Great Britain, to deal with the question of food, 
victualizing and supplying the liberated and enemy territory, and 
to coordinate such supplies with supplies for Allied and neutral coun- 
tries. Certain measures had already been taken in anticipation of 
the establishment of the Supreme Council. The associated Govern- 



INTERNATIONAL. 85 

ments are fully alive to the importance of the problem of the provi- 
sion of supplies, and there is every reason to hope that the Supreme 
Council will shortly be able to establish a comprehensive scheme for 
dealing with the whole situation. — [British Board of Trade Jour- 
nal, Jan. 16, 1919, p. 71.] 

Resumption of Paris-Constantinople Railway Service. 

The International Sleeping Car Company announced its inten- 
tion to reestablish the Orient Express from Paris to Constantinople 
as soon as conditions render such action possible. The train will 
run from Paris to Milan and thence through Venice and Trieste to 
Constantinople. The reestablishment of the Orient Express to Con- 
stantinople will be the first step in the development of communica- 
tion with the East. — [Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce,. 
Feb. 10, 1919, p. 641.] 

Berne Conferences. 

Five questions filled most of the nine days of discussion at the 
Berne Conferences. They were as follows : 

1. The question of responsibility for the war: A resolution con- 
demning Germany was passed, and fuller discussion postponed to a 
later conference. 

2. The League of Nations: A general resolution calling for a 
League of Nations, arbitral courts, disarmament, free trade, etc., was 
voted. 

3. The " labor charter " : The recommendations of the trade-union 
conference which sat at the same time were approved. 

4. Territorial questions: A resolution was passed declaring for 
self-determination of peoples; for plebiscites; for protection of 
minorities; and condemning forced annexations and the determi- 
nations of frontiers according to military considerations, so-called 
historic rights, or supposed economic necessities. 

5. Bolshevism: The question being too hot for unanimity, two 
declarations were put before the conference and over a score of 
speakers expressed their views, but no vote was taken. All factions 
agreed upon the sending of a Socialist commission to Russia to study 
the situation. — [The Survey, New York, N. Y., Mar. 15, 1919, pp. 
855-858.] 

International Labor. 

The commission on international labor legislation of the Peace 
Conference has issued its report. Since it touches on vital aspects of 
national economy, it promises to become a subject of considerable dis- 
cussion and, possibly, disagreement when brought up in the full con- 
ference. The report recapitulates demands already put forward at 
two previous international conferences on labor legislation (Berne y 



86 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. 

1906 and 1913), and asks for their incorporation in the Treaty of 
Peace. It submits a number of subjects, with no very definite in- 
structions, for consideration by a larger international labor confer- 
ence. The most important of these subjects are : 

1. Prohibition of labor by children under 15 years of age; eight- 
hour' workday in mines and factories; Saturday half -holiday. 

2. Motherhood protection and insurance; prohibition of women's 
work in mines and dangerous trades; equal pay for equal work; 
medical inspection of home workers and of their dwellings ; abolition 
of all statutes hindering free combination and association of work- 
people, and making such hindrance a penal offense. 

3. Foreign workers to have a right to the same wages and condi- 
tions of work as agreed to between employers and native workers of 
a trade. No prohibition of emigration or immigration generally, 
except that immigration may be restricted temporarily in a period 
of economic depression or for the protection of public health. 

Wages boards, with equal representation of employers and em- 
ployed, to fix legal minimum rates of wages in cases where collective 
bargaining between a workers' trade-union and employers proves 
impracticable. Linking up of public employment bureau systems for 
the exchange of information on the state of the labor market ; unem- 
ployment insurance, and State insurance against industrial accidents ; 
a special code for the protection of seamen. — [The Survey, New 
York, N. Y., Mar. 15, 1919, pp. 866, 867.] 
Reforestation. 

Announcement has recently been made that the American For- 
estry Association will aid in restoring the forests of Great Britain, 
France, and Belgium, which were sacrificed to the Allied cause in the 
war. In announcing formal acceptance by the three European Gov- 
ernments of the American offer of aid, it is declared that about 
1,500,000 acres of forest land in France had been destroyed by 
shell fire or cut down for war needs ; that virtually all of Belgium's 
forests of timber value had been felled by the Germans, and that 
Great Britain's sacrifice in forests amounted to fully 450,000 acres. — 
[Courant, Hartford, Conn., Mar. 21, 1919.] 

ITALY. 

Transition Economy. 

The Colonial Institute has decided to create a commercial and 
colonial information office, with headquarters at Rome, which, at 
the suitable moment and with adequate funds, can be enlarged and 
changed into a properly constituted national office of economic 
information and commercial expansion. This is to aid in the solu- 
tion of the complex problems of the resumption of normal relations 



ITALY. 87 

with the other countries, and the necessity of expanding in foreign 
trade the economic forces which the war has created. — [Corriere 
de 'Italia, May 14, 1918.] 

Raw Materials, Supply of. 

A decree has been published creating a committee for the supply 
of raw materials for the national industries and agriculture during 
the transition period from war to peace. This committee will be 
attached to the ministry of industry, commerce, and works. It will 
consist of representatives of industry, commerce, agriculture, direc- 
tors of banks, and of the various interested Government depart- 
ments. It will be divided into three sections, whose functions will 
be, respectively: 1. To estimate the needs of the various industries, 
etc.; 2, to organize and finance the purchases; 3, transport. — [Tri- 
buna, June 10, 1918.] 

Transition. 

A committee of 100 has been appointed in Italy to report on the 
necessary measures to be adopted in connection with the transition 
period. — [Corriere della Sera, July 16, 1918.] 
Italian Council of Labor on Transition Economy. 

The permanent committee of the upper council of labor presented 
recently its report on the most important steps to be taken in the 
transition period. Its proposals may be summarized as follows : 

1. The increase of national production is the basis of all prep- 
aration for the economic reconstruction of the country in the transi- 
tion period, and for this purpose are required : 

a. The coordination of all national energies. 

b. A financial policy which realizes the difficulties inseparable 

from the abnormal conditions. 

c. The prompt carrying out of necessary public works. 

d. The careful transformation of war industries. 

e. The constitution of a domain of public lands. 
/. The regulation of the emigration of workers. 

2. A schema for general and technical education, liberally sup- 
ported, ought to form the basis of a program of intensive production 
and social legislation. 

3. The State must adopt an industrial and commercial policy 
which, unshackled by adherence to any system of protection to the 
prejudice of the consumer, will safeguard production in the interests 
of consumers, towards which end powerful assistance can be lent by 
cooperation. 

4. The professional representation of capital and labor should 
exercise direct influence on transition economy. — [II Sole, Aug. 8, 
1918.] 



88 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. 

Industrial Mobilization. 

A decree by the ministry of arms and munitions was recently 
published by which the offices of industrial mobilization have been 
reorganized. Two central institutions are clearly defined: The cen- 
tral committee of industrial mobilization, and the general direction 
of industrial mobilization. To the first belong the characteristics 
of an advisory body, possessing controlling and advisory powers; 
while to the second are assigned the functions of a central body 
which acts, organizes, and controls with the powers and responsi- 
bilities of the ministry on which it depends. The latter has services 
and offices, quite distinct, and fairly numerous, formed with a prac- 
tical view of facilitating relations with the industrial circles. The 
services will relate to the following: General business; recruiting 
and labor; social, economic, and disciplinary treatment of labor; 
electro-technics; information and distribution ; transport. — [II Sole, 
Aug. 15, 1918.] 

Emigration, Regulation of. 

The emigration section of the Italian Reconstruction Commission 
in its report emphasized the necessity of regulating emigration in 
such a way that it would not check the imperative increase of national 
production. The section instructed some of the members to examine 
this complex problem and collect some materials on which to base 
practical proposals. — [II Sole, Aug. 17, 1918.] 

Reconstruction Mission. 

A special mission has been dispatched to the three capitals of Paris, 
Rome, and London to study the problems of reconstruction after the 
war.— [Embros, Sept. 4, 1918.] 

Monopoly of Coffee Importation. 

A voluntary society (consortium) for the importation and distri- 
bution of coffee has been formed. It undertakes to apportion all 
coffee imported into the country at prices fixed by the Government, 
and will cease to operate six months after peace is declared. The 
details of the organization, object, and administration of this society 
are contained in a decree of September 15, 1918. — [Gazzetta Ufficiale, 
Sept. 23, 1918 ; Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Dec. 
31, 1918, p. 1227.] 

Future of Women Workers. 

Among the formidable problems to be solved by the Italian Recon- 
struction Commission is the question of what is going to be done with 
the vast army of women workers which has been created owing to the 
exigencies of the war. — [Corriere d'ltalia, Sept. 29, 1918.] 



ITALY. 89 

Better Utilization of Land. 

The Italian ministry of agriculture is studying a series of ques- 
tions' pertaining to the " industrialization " of Italy, namely, the 
bringing up to the maximum efficiency such land as might not be well 
cultivated. ■ 

A careful survey of the land of the whole Kingdom will be made, 
and it is planned that any tract that is not being cultivated in an 
efficient way will, if necessary, be taken over by the Government, 
so as to have it competently developed to maximum production, 
through scientific cultivation. The most likely plan to be adopted 
by the Government is the coercion on landlords to rent out their in- 
active property for improvement to proper firms, persons, or the 
State before any forcible sale takes place. — [Italy Today, Vol. 1, 
No. 3, Oct. 5, 1918, p. 22.] 
Land Drainage. 

As an after-the-war reconstruction activity the drainage of swamp 
lands undertaken in Italy now covers an area of 4,537,500 acres, or 
one-fifteenth of the entire productive area of the country. 

The total expense of this reclamation work is about 700,000,000 
lire (about $140,000,000), of which a little over one-half is furnished 
by the National Government and the remainder by the Provinces and 
local Governments.— [Italy Today, Vol. 1, No. 3, Oct. 5, 1918, p. 22.] 

Farm Loans. 

By a recent decree the fund of 40,000,000 lire (about $8,000,000) 
appropriated for advances to farm loan banks for the purpose of 
facilitating loans made to stimulate the cultivation of wheat and 
other cereals, vegetables, and edible tubers has been increased another 
5,000,000 lire (about $1,000,000), which amount has been credited to 
the savings fund of the Bank of Naples for the provincial farm-loan 
banks under its administration, and for other similar institutions. 
The fund is under the direction of the Bank of Naples, which is em- 
powered to distribute these loans according to the needs of the various 
single banks.— [Italy Today, Vol. 1, No. 3, Oct. 5, 1918, p. 22.] 

Proposed Government Aid for Peasants. 

A bill has been introduced in the Italian Chamber of Deputies 
providing for the granting of land, the financing of purchases of 
seeds and implements used in its cultivation, the education of the 
peasants, and the prevention of diseases prevalent among them. Help 
is to be extended only to those communities where the land available 
for cultivation is not sufficient for the population. In such com- 
munities a farm society would be organized, to which would be as- 
signed lands belonging to the State, the Provinces, or the municipali- 
ties, and if need be, private lands near the communities which are 
uncultivated.— [Italy Today, Vol. 1, No. 3, Oct. 5, 1918, p. 23.] 



90 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. 

Greatest Drydock in the Mediterranean. 

Plans have been completed for the construction of the greatest 
drydock in the Mediterranean, which will be located in Naples. 
Government decrees have been signed which authorize construction. — 
[Italy Today, Vol. 1, No. 3, Oct. 5, 1918, p. 22.] 

Cold-Storage Facilities. 

The minister of the interior, at the recommendation of the com- 
mission for cold-storage facilities, has ordered an examination 
of all the refrigeration facilities in Italy, with a view to determin- 
ing the needs for new installations to conserve the large quantities 
of meat and food products that will be imported after the war. — 
[Commerce Keports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Oct. 11, 1918, p. 157.] 

Reconstruction, Industrial. 

The president of the economic subcommission for reconstruction 
recently convened a meeting in Rome of the heads of the largest Ital- 
ian industries in order to discuss some of the problems of the period 
immediately following the war. They placed before him their pro- 
grams for the transformation of the various industries from war to 
peace work; and they asked the Government, in order to avoid any 
stoppage of work, to prepare without delay the program of the vari- 
ous public works to be carried out and to give out the contracts for 
same, and to provide for the supply and transport of coal and raw 
materials necessary for the various industries immediately after the 
war. They also asked that the Government provisions for the re- 
construction period should be made in accordance with the wishes 
of the laboring organizations, and that everything should be done 
to bring about collaboration between capital and labor. — [Corriere 
della Sera, Oct. 29, 1918.] 
War-Disabled Persons, Assistance to the. 

The National Institution for the War Disabled, founded by the 
Government in March, 1917, will continue its existence as long as 
there remains a war-disabled person in need of assistance. 

The assistance granted by the institution comes under the follow- 
ing heads : • 

Medical attention in hospital or at home ; orthopedic and prothetic 
assistance; the placing in families or institutions of those unable 
to help themselves, who have no one to look after them ; provision of 
educational facilities ; reeducation or trade training ; legal assistance ; 
care of tubercular and insane cases ; assistance in finding work, or in 
obtaining securities, where necessary, for employment; relief for de- 
pendents; help to purchase houses, cottages, or land given disabled 
men by means of loans arranged through societies and savings banks. 

The institution is not a pension service, pensions being paid by 
the State direct to the disabled persons. The institution benefits 



ITALY. 91 

not only men who have been disabled in the present war, but also 
those disabled in previous wars, and civilians disabled by act of war. 
The affairs of the institution are administered by a council, com- 
posed of doctors, professors, disabled officers and men, and of offi- 
cials. The association of disabled soldiers nominates four disabled 
soldiers as its representatives on the council. An executive commit- 
tee is chosen by the council from among its members. There are 
branch offices, with local committees, in every provincial capital and 
in many of the smaller towns. — [Corriere d'ltalia, Oct. 30, 1918.] 

Reconstruction Organization. 

As early as 1916 a special office for the study of after-the-war 
problems was established in Italy ; but in the political and military 
upheavals which followed, the bureau was smothered. By the begin- 
ning of 1918 its reestablishment was sought, and on June 30 a decree 
was issued creating a National Royal Commission for the study of 
measures relating to the period of transition from war to peace. All 
the active elements of the nation were invited to take part in the com- 
mission — representatives from the fields of politics, economics, in- 
dustry, commerce, education, labor, agriculture, and the army and 
navy. The organization of the commission consists of a central 
committee presided over by the president of the council, by the vice 
president, and by a member of the Chamber of Deputies; of a sub- 
committee for the study of legal, administrative, and social questions, 
divided in sections for legal questions of international character, 
revision of war legislation, reforms in the administration of tribu- 
taries, Provinces, and communities, reform in State administration, 
reconstruction of the national wealth in the invaded territories, 
financial measures, colonial questions, reforms in private rights made 
urgent by the war, social legislation, and military justice; and sub- 
committees for the study of economic questions, divided in sections 
for agricultural production, industrial production (raw materials, 
metallurgical, and mechanical industries, extractive industries, manu- 
facturing and industrial organizations), utilization of hydraulic and 
electric power, credit arrangements, establishment of a merchant 
marine and a shipbuilding industry, increasing commerce, public 
works, civil life, utilization of war materials, special problems of the 
unredeemed provinces. Wherever possible, steps will be taken so that 
the most diverse war organizations will be able to be transformed 
without great change or waste of effort into organizations adapted to 
the problems of peace. 

The central committee will draft the general program to be fol- 
lowed, apportion the questions to be treated by the subcommittees, 
examine the findings of the subcommittees, and on the basis of their 
decisions draw up a general report to Parliament. — [Italy Today, 



92 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION". 

Vol. 1, No. 5, Nov. 5, 1918, p. 7 ; Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of 
Commerce, June 6, 1918, p. 902.] 

Municipal Public Works Scheme. 

The commune of Milan has prepared a complete program of 
urgent public works to be carried out amounting to a total of 
150,000,000 lire. As far as possible, the contracts will be given to 
labor cooperative societies. — [II Sole, Nov. 10, 1918.] 

Disabled Soldiers, Private Fund for. 

A volume summarizing the work done by all the committees and 
societies in Italy for the aid and reeducation of those blinded, 
crippled, or otherwise incapacitated, has been published by the 
National Federation of Aid Committees in Italy. It gives in detail 
the actual accomplishments of every society in its respective district, 
its organization, and methods. — [Italy Today, Vol. 1, No. 6, Nov. 15, 
1918, p. 24.] 

Community Warehouses for Farmers. 

An association to protect farmers against the speculative prices 
for agricultural material and implements has been formed by the 
Bank of Central Italy for Agriculture and Commerce. The asso- 
ciation plans to. purchase large quantities of all things needed in 
the cultivation of land direct from the manufacturers and producers 
at a time when prices are most convenient, and then to sell them to 
the farmers without profit. A system of rationing the supplies of 
seed and implements will be established so as to insure a fair and 
equitable distribution. Warehouses will be planned in various cen- 
ters so that the farmers need not be forced to dump their products 
on a market when oversupplied. In these the farmers will be per- 
mitted to store their goods at a small cost, and money will be ad- 
vanced to them, if needed, with the stored goods as a guaranty. — 
[Italy Today, Vol. 1, No. 6, Nov. 15, 1918, p. 22.] 

Reconstruction Organization. 

The agrarian division of the commission has recommended pro- 
visions for protecting the forest lands, and for decreasing the 
slaughter of live stock. It urged a census of the wood available and 
the requirements of the country for construction work, for timber, 
and for charcoal, and the distribution of the supply to the essential 
industries first. It urged the intensification of the importation of 
frozen meat so as to reduce the slaughter of live stock in Italy. — 
[Italy Today, Vol. 1, No. 6, Nov. 15, 1918, p. 22.] 

Shipping Control Policy. 

Under a recent decree, all new merchant ships which become part 
of the merchant marine from August 27, 1918, to December 21, 1920, 



ITALY. 93 

if acquired abroad; or from January 1, 1920, to June 30, 1921, if 
constructed in Italy, may not enjoy the liberty of free operation, but 
will be chartered by the Government for two years. — [Italy Today, 
Vol. 1, No. 6, Nov. 15, 1918, p. 10.] 

Cooperative Societies of Government Employees. 

Cooperative societies of State employees have been established in 
Italy under a national decree recently issued by the minister of the 
treasury. Branches of the society will be opened in the main cities 
of all the provinces under the management of a central organization. 
The largest of these will soon be opened in Naples, with a member- 
ship of about 240,000. Special provisions for credit advancements, 
acquisition of provisions, and management of the organizations are 
set forth in the decree. To defray the original expenses of setting 
up the establishments, the Government has provided for the advance- 
ment of loans at 4 per cent and for the opening of charge accounts 
for purchasing supplies. A sum of $2,000,000 has already been set 
aside for this purpose. Banks and savings institutions have been 
authorized to advance credits to the cooperative stores. The Govern- 
ment will supply direct to the cooperative societies, at cost, agricul- 
tural, food products, and other commodities the distribution of which 
is under Government supervision. 

The societies are formed for the purpose of purchasing foodstuffs 
or other goods from the State or in the open market, for distribution 
among its members and their families at cost, plus general working 
and administrative expenses, with a moderate margin of profit. 
They are at liberty to establish their own factories. — [Corriere 
d'ltalia, Oct. 5, 1918 ; Italy Today, Vol. 1, No. 6, Nov. 15, 1918, p. 14.] 

War Work and Supplies, Suspension of. 

In order to facilitate the transition of industries from war to peace 
work, a decree has been published, adopting the following temporary 
provisions for firms producing war materials : 

1. The following work and supplies for war purposes are sus- 
pended : New contracts ; the execution of contracts on which work has 
not commenced; the completion of contracts in course of execution; 
the employment of raw materials, except by authority of the ministry 
of industries ; or for the production of goods in general use. 

2. Manufacturers are authorized to commence work for the pro- 
duction of any kind of goods using raw materials supplied by the 
State on conditions based on new prices, which will be published 
shortly. Manufacturers may use their own raw materials, the State, 
however, retaining its right to a prior claim on these. — [Corriere della 
Sera, Nov. 16, 1918.] 



94 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. 

Economic Expansion, Organization for. 

The reconstruction commission being convinced of the immediate 
necessity of reforming the organizations for economic expansion by 
the vigorous resumption of the export trade, has forwarded the fol- 
lowing recommendations to the Government : 

1. The appointment to the ministry of industry, commerce, and 
labor, of: 

a. A political-commercial commission, for the purpose of studying 
the interior and foreign political economic problems. 

b. A department of commercial intelligence, which should, how- 
ever, have no executive powers, these being left to private organiza- 
tions. 

2. The appointment to the ministry of foreign affairs of an inter- 
ministerial commission to which should be left the direction of eco- 
nomic activity abroad, and which should coordinate the functions 
carried out up to the present by the ministries of industry and of 
foreign affairs. Representatives of industry, commerce, agriculture, 
and finance should be appointed to this commission. 

3. The reform of the consular service, in the sense of greater 
specialization of the consular corps, so as to render more efficacious 
its economic activities. According to this plan, the central organ 
for obtaining information and for studying the problems relating 
to economic action abroad, would be the ministry of industry through 
its political-commercial commission; the directing organ of foreign 
economic policy would be the interministerial commission; and the 
executive organ, the ministry of foreign affairs through its diplo- 
matic and consular agents. — [II Sole, Nov. 16, 1918.] 

Transition Organization: War Contracts, Arbitration, Unemployment Fund, 
Public Works. 

By a decree of the Italian Government, a committee has been 
formed by the ministers of finance, war, marine, munitions and 
transport, and public works and industry. This committee will pro- 
mote and coordinate the actions of the various State administrations 
for the transition from a state of war to a state of peace. 

Any contracts in course of completion at the date of publication of 
this decree, between the State administration and private firms for 
supplies and work depending on a state of war, can be suspended, 
rescinded, reduced, prorogued, transformed, and modified by the 
committee. The committee will also have the power to deal with 
contracts abroad. The committee will be authorized to dispose of : 

a. The cession to State administrations, private firms, and asso- 
ciations of raw materials, semimanufactured and manufactured 
goods, out of war supplies. 

b. Works and manufactures, even if infringing regulations in 
force, of State administration and public authorities. 



ITALY. 95 

c. General regulations for the fixing of prices of raw materials and 
manufactured goods, and deciding the character of such manufac- 
tures. 

If, in consequence of these provisions, indemnities are paid to firms 
for the reduction or rescission of contracts ; and the amount of such 
indemnities renders a firm liable to excess profits duty, the amount 
of the indemnity rendering a firm liable to excess profits duty shall 
be taxed at the rate of 100 per cent. 

The provisions established by the committee will be executed by a 
board of management, the staff of which will be provided by the 
ministry of finance. A sum of 1,000,000 lire will be provided by the 
ministry for the purpose. 

An arbitration board will be appointed, consisting of a president ; 
not less than five magistrates; not less than three councilors of 
State; not less than three councilors or referees of the court of ac- 
counts ; and not less than three technical men, engineers or chemists, 
belonging to the public administration. No appeal will be allowed 
against the decision of the board of arbitration. 

The State will place a sum of 100,000,000 lire at the disposal of the 
semiemployment fund. 

The expenditure of 1,000,000,000 lire is authorized for the execu- 
tion of public works; 1,800,000,000 lire for railway works, renewal 
of rolling stock, etc., by the railways; 500,000,000 lire by ministries of 
post and telegraphs, agriculture, industry, finance, education, the 
interior, and the colonies for works of public utility. 

The Deposit and Loan Bank is authorized to make advances to 
communities, Provinces, and associations, for a total amount of 
500,000,000 lire, at 3 per cent interest, for the execution of public 
works.— [II Sole, Nov. 22, 1918.] 

Compensation for War Damage. 

A commission set up in regard to war damage has issued a decree 
recognizing the right to such compensation. It does not apply to 
ships other than small craft. While only Italian citizens are entitled 
to the privileges of the decree, compensation will be granted to for- 
eigners under agreements to be concluded with the foreign States to 
which they belong. The commission will decide doubtful cases. An 
indemnity of from 5,000 to 15,000 lire will be granted to dependents 
of a person whose death was due to some act of war. Where perma- 
nent total incapacity is caused an indemnity of from 10,000 to 20,000 
lire will be granted. The commission will determine the amount and 
form of the indemnity, which may be satisfied in bonds of the public 
debt, or in other bonds issued by the Italian treasury. No indemnity 
is due if the death or incapacity occurred in the course of military 
service, nor to dependents or the persons injured if they have a tax- 



96 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. 

able income higher than 5,000 lire. Personal or real property lost, 
destroyed, or damaged, through an act of war, within the realm, dis- 
tricts that may be annexed, or colonies of Italy, will be compensated 
for.— [Corriere della Sera, Nov. 26, 1918.] 

Protection of labor Against Unemployment. 

At the invitation of the president oi the commission on economics 
for reconstruction, a meeting was held of the leading industrial heads 
in Italy to discuss the most immediate problems which would face 
Italy at the cessation of hostilities. Kepresentatives of the minister 
of arms, ammunition and aviation, the minister of war, transporta- 
tion and industry, and the director general of railroads were also 
present. 
Program of Public Works. 

The commune of Milan has prepared a program of public works 
which it will carry out during the next five years. The detail ex- 
penditure during this period is estimated at 242,980,000 lire. With 
reference to housing, in addition to recommendations made to the 
Government, the commune will grant new sites to the institute for 
popular housing and will grant them 1,000,000 lire in 1919, on ac- 
count of the 10,000,000 lire which will be granted to them in the 
course of the next five years. — [Corriere della Sera, Nov. 28, 1918.] 
Demands of Union Workers. 

A series of resolutions were passed by the workers' union demand- 
ing the abolition of various war-time restrictions and the adoption 
of measures to combat unemployment. The principles advocated 
with respect to dismissal of factory hands include the following : The 
right to dismiss all female labor and men not called out, on the basis 
of factory contracts ; greatest possible freedom of transfer for mobi- 
lized labor to different factories or districts ; right to demand transfer 
from war to peace industry to be granted to discharged, recalled, and 
nonmobilized men; easy release of industrial labor for agriculture; 
employers to communicate with the home commission before ordering 
wholesale dismissals and to observe certain specified principles in the 
matter. 

With respect to unemployment, the union demands the establish- 
ment of adequate employment bureaus; maintenance allowance for 
workmen thrown idle, the amount to be increased in proportion to 
the number of dependents, this assistance to be given irrespective of 
war-time unemployment measures ; a lump sum to be paid by employ- 
ers to women seeking release in order to return home; freedom of 
emigration and free traveling for workmen with families abroad; 
discharge to be granted to employers of the war-economic organiza- 
tions of agriculture, industrial cooperative societies, and to agri- 
cultural workers on farms which have no male labor. 



ITALY. 97 

For men who have been on active service the confederation de- 
mands a fair indemnity to be paid to discharged men; pensions in 
serious cases and indemnities in others ; disabled and invalid soldiers 
employed in industry, commerce, and agriculture to receive the same 
wages as other workmen. — [Tribuna, Nov. 30, 1918. p. 91.] 

Program of Public Works. 

A resolution was adopted at a meeting of industrial chiefs asking 
the Government to make a survey of the public works that need to 
be done at once and to assign these works to factories now doing war 
work on the basis of the number of persons employed. It also asked 
the Government to see that sufficient coal be available to cover the 
demands of Italian factories in order to avoid unemployment. — [Italy 
Today, Vol. 1, No. 7, Dec. 2, 1918, p. 52.] 
Expenditures for Municipal Public Works. 

Public works involving an expenditure of $30,000,000 will be begun 
at once by the city of Kome, so as to give employment to those form- 
erly in war industries. Wherever possible, factories engaged in war 
work will be transformed so as to manufacture building material and 
railroad supplies and equipment. — [Italy Today, Vol. 1, No. 7, Dec. 
2, 1918, p. 57.] 

Reconstruction of Railways. 

The Italian Supreme Command has announced that the military 
engineering railroad authorities have, with the consent of the rail- 
way authorities, taken up the work of reestablishing railway con- 
nections in the liberated territories of the North. Bridges will be 
reconstructed and telegraphic service will be restored with the utmost 
speed. — [Giornale DTtalia, Dec. 4, 1918.] 
State Monopolies. 

The Italian Government adopted a law on November 22, 1918, to 
go into effect at the discretion of the Government, and the minister 
of finance has issued a decree providing for the monopolization by 
the State of the supply and sale of coffee and coffee substitutes, tea, 
sugar, petroleum, benzine, paraffin, and other heavy and light mineral 
oils (excluding lubricants) , and the residues from their distillation, 
coal (excluding domestic coke), denatured alcohol, explosives, elec- 
tric lamps, and the extraction of mercury and quinine. 

The minister of finance stated that the paramount necessity of in- 
creasing the fiscal revenues has led to this step, but that the Govern- 
ment had taken the greatest care to disturb private interests as lit- 
tle as possible. The alternative of taxing new manufacturers and 
supplies would only lead to still higher prices against the consumers' 
interests.— [Corriere della Sera, Nov. 23, 1918 ; II Sole, Dec. 5, 1918 ; 
Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Dec. 6, 1918, p. 897.] 
115488—19 7 



98 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. 

Industrial Reorganization. 

At a meeting of the association of limited companies, held in 
Kome, resolutions were passed which provided that representatives 
of industrial organizations should be called upon by the Government 
to act as technical consultants regarding the economic policy; that 
export permits should be granted on such a scale as to permit Italian 
industries to compete in foreign markets; that all monopolies of 
essential raw materials should be abandoned; that day and evening 
technical schools should be opened for employees of private firms; 
that the advice and proposals of industrial organizations should be 
taken into consideration by the Government. — [Tribuna, Dec. 14, 
1918.] 

Expenditures for Public Works. 

An expenditure of $600,000,000 has been authorized by the Italian 
Government for public works to be undertaken by concerns formerly 
engaged in war industries. This is part of the plan approved by 
the Italian cabinet to facilitate the transformation of industries 
from a war to a peace basis. The assigning of contracts for public 
works to firms formerly in war industries is regulated by a decree 
which authorizes the following expenditures : $360,000,000 for rail- 
road materials and work, or railroads generally; $200,000,000 for 
drainage works and reclamation of waste lands, bridges, harbor im- 
provements, and roads; $100,000,000 for works of public character 
which are under the ministries of health, education, etc. 

A fund of $20,000,000 has been set aside, in addition to $1,500,000 
already raised, to help those who, because of the nature of their work, 
may be forced into an involuntary period of unemployment. — [Italy 
Today, Vol. 1, No. 8, Dec. 16, 1918, p. 28.] 
Profit Sharing in Industry. 

A new Italian Government decree sanctions and allows the consti- 
tution of a profit-sharing fund between capital and labor in those 
firms which have set aside a special reserve fund after paying the 
limited dividends now allowed. It is established that one-third of 
such reserve must be invested in State securities, while the rest may 
form a special joint capital and labor fund. The principle is also 
laid down that the relations between employers and employees should 
be regulated on the basis of the fair distribution of profits, and indi- 
vidual industrial undertakings are empowered to take the necessary 
measures for putting their respective profit-sharing schemes into 
practice, each proposal, however, being first submitted for approval 
to the minister of industry, commerce, and labor, at whose instance 
the decree referred to was issued. — [Weekly Bulletin, Canadian Dept. 
of Trade and Commerce, Ottawa. Canada, Dec. 30, 1918; Commerce 
Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce. Jan. 20, 1919, p. 319.] 



ITALY. 99 

Railway Program. 

The State railway administration has put forward a vast program 
for the completing and repairing of locomotives, wagons, coaches, 
etc., involving the use of 400,000 tons of metals and the expenditure 
of 600,000,000 lire. The contracts are being placed with private 
firms.— [Tribuna, Dec. 30, 1918.1 

Agricultural Unions. 

Membership in agricultural unions is almost universal in northern 
Italy and the prevalence of a six-hour day for agricultural labor 
is one of the derived benefits. — [Post, New York, N. Y., Jan. 17 r 
1919.] 

Trade With United States. 

The Italo- American Economic Committee, which was formed at the 
end of last year, is now ready to commence its practical work, which 
will be as follows : 

1. Agreements between competing producers, so as to eliminate the 
waste of unregulated competition. 

2. Agreements for the increase of sales of noncompeting products 
in the two countries, and eventually to organize depots for redistri- 
bution to other markets. 

3. Development and introduction into Italy of industries, with 
Italian and American capital, on modern lines, giving a maximum of 
efficiency. 

4. Investment of Italian and American capital for the development 
of the natural resources of Italy. — [Corriere della Sera, Jan. 21, 
1919.] 

Government Control of the Silk Trade. 

Under State control there has been formed a central silk-trade office 
in Italy, whose function it will be to protect the interests of this 
Italian trade, and which will have charge of all purchases (at fixed 
prices) and sales of silk produced from the native silkworm. It is 
believed that the office has been created to better the silk-trade situa- 
tion and stabilize the market. — [Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of 
Commerce, Jan. 22, 1919, p. 341.] 

Opposition to Coal Monopoly. 

Italian senators and chambers of commerce in the larger Italian 
towns are opposing the new State monoply on coal as destructive of 
important Italian industries. — [Christian Science Monitor, Boston,. 
Mass., Jan. 30, 1919.] 

Emigration of Italian Labor. 

The president of the emigration section of the Colonial Reconstruc- 
tion Congress has stated that many foreign countries will be in need' 
of labor immediately after the war, and that Italy will be able to> 



100 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION". 

supply some of the demands of these foreign countries, and that the 
Italian workingman will be in a position to choose the market for his 
labor and the occupation for which he is best adapted. He stated 
that in the past foreign countries in need of Italian labor created the 
impression that by employing this labor they were performing an act 
of charity ; but henceforth the demand for this labor will come from 
abroad, and it is necessary for emigrants to realize that the giving of 
work to Italians will be no longer a matter of charity or philanthropy, 
but of absolute necessity; and that countries needing Italian labor 
will have to give guarantees assuring these workmen proper living 
and working conditions before they will respond to the invitation. — 
[Monthly Labor Review, U. S. Dept. of Labor, February, 1919, p. 
274.] 
Metallurgical Report. 

The Italian Metallurgical Association points out in its recent re- 
port that the metallurgical industries of the country can not long be 
satisfied with native ore supplies. — [Journal of Commerce, New York, 
N. Y., Feb. 1, 1919.] 

Emigration. 

The present agitation in the United States against immigration is 
causing a great deal of concern in Italy. This matter is of great im- 
portance to Italy, owing to the large number of emigrants leaving 
the country to cross the Atlantic. Should the United States prohibit 
immigration it would be necessary to find another outlet for Italy's 
surplus population. Australia has been suggested, although it is 
understood that the labor organizations in that country are against 
a great inroad of immigrants ; and, again, it is difficult to divert the 
stream of immigration in any other direction, the Italians having 
formed the habit of crossing the Atlantic. Therefore, it is particu- 
larly toward France that the stream will turn, as it is estimated that 
not less than 3,000,000 men will be required to carry out the work of 
reconstruction in that country. — [Corriere della Sera, Feb. 4, 1919.] 

Replacing Rolling Stock. 

Out of 3,300,000,000 lire voted for public works, no less than 1,800,- 
000,000 has been set aside for railway works, of which 1,000,000,000 are 
to be expended for the acquisition of rolling stock. A total of 22,000 
trucks and 600 locomotives have been ordered in Italy, and 10,000 
trucks and 300 locomotives in America. The Italian railway admin- 
istration by promptly placing these large orders has greatly helped 
in preventing unemployment on demobilization, as these orders are 
sufficient to keep the Italian factories for railway materials busy 
until the end of 1920, and with the normal quantity of work coming 
in as well, they should be fully employed for five years. — [Corriere 
<lella Sera, Feb. 9, 1919.] 



JAPAN. 101 

Harbor Improvement. 

The central commission for harbors, coasts, and lighthouses has 
approved enlargement plans for the port of Spezia estimated at 
$1,800,000— [Journal of Commerce, New York, N. Y., Feb. 29. 1919.1 

Labor. 

The Italian Federation of Labor and the principal employers of 
Italy have reached an amicable agreement concerning wages and 
working hours, which, for the first time, places Italian labor on a 
inane with American labor. Beginning May 10, hours of work will 
be reduced from 72 to 48, and wages are substantially increased. — 
[The Public, New York. N. Y., Apr. 12, 1919, p. 382.] ' 

JAPAN. 

Reconstruction. 

A committee for the investigation of economic matters bearing 
on the war was appointed two years ago, and arrangements were 
made for the consultation of experts and business men and for recom- 
mendations to be made by the committee to the Government in 
connection with the subjects to be investigated. Nothing has been 
heard regarding the proceedings of the committee. — [Nichi Nichi r 
( )ct. 22, 1917.] ■ 
Postwar Export Business, Preparedness for. 

The Municipal Foreign-Trade Bureau of Yokohama has mailed 
5,000 circulars to all parts of the world telling of the creation of this 
bureau. The bureau will be the forerunner of a great commercial 
museum to be built in that city in the near future. — [Commerce Re- 
ports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce. Aug. 21, 1918, p. 700.] 
Foreign Trade. 

There is to be a display of samples in the offices of the foreign- 
trade bureau at Yokohama, and information regarding exports and 
imports and foreign trade generally will be available there. It is 
planned to send industrial and technical commissioners abroad to 
study industry in the various manufacturing centers of the world. 
Steps are also being taken to arrange exhibits of Japanese products 
in different countries. The first exhibition of the kind is to be held 
in Montevideo from June to December, 1919. — [Federation of British 
Industries, Nov. 7, 1918, p. 169.] 

Higher Education. 

The Japanese Government intends to devote $21,931,000 to extend 
the agencies of higher education, this sum to be a continuing ex- 
penditure extending over six years from 1919-1920 to 1924—1925. Of 
this sum $19,690,750 is to be expended on the building and extension 
of schoolhouses and $2,213,250 on the training of teachers. It is pro- 
posed that the greater part of the latter sum be appropriated to the 



102 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. 

costs of dispatching and maintaining students abroad. The proposal 
is to establish, in addition to the higher-educational institutions al- 
ready in existence, 10 high schools, 17 technical and commercial 
schools, one foreign-language school, and one school of pharmacy, be- 
sides extending the present colleges and organizing new ones. It is 
expected that the program will be completely carried into execution 
in the course of six years and that teaching at the new institutions will 
commence in 1925. In the educational year 1917-1918 about 56,000 
students applied for admission to public and private higher and 
special schools, while the capacity of these schools was only sufficient 
to accommodate 14,000. — [Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Com- 
merce, Mar. 20, 1919, p. 1387.] 

Study of English. 

The popularity in the study of the English language has increased 
in Japan to a remarkable degree since the declaration of the armi- 
stice, and the Tokio School of Foreign Languages has about 800 
candidates annually, of which 400 are admitted. The students in 
English exceed in number those of French or other European lan- 
guages.— [The Public, New York, N. Y., Apr. 12, 1919, p. 382.] 

MEXICO. 

Creation of a Department of Industry, Commerce, and Lands. 

A new department has been created with four sections, namely, 
internal commerce, external commerce, insurance, and publications 
and statistics. The section of internal commerce is charged with 
the task of cooperating with the chambers of commerce existing in 
the Republic, and aiding them to secure the best possible develop- 
ment of international trade; the section of external commerce has 
the general purpose of ascertaining new facts relating to the 
products of Mexico and of aiding in mercantile interchange with 
other countries ; the section of insurance will compile statistics of all 
classes of life, accident, and fire insurance, and will also exercise a 
certain measure of control over the activities of insurance organiza- 
tions; the section of publications and statistics is concerned with 
collecting statistics relating to the trade of Mexico. The new de- 
partment issues a monthly bulletin. — [British Board of Trade Jour- 
nal, Oct. 24, 1918, p. 521.] 

Reconstruction Plans. 

The President's message of September 1, 1918, to the Mexican 
Congress, discussing Mexico's chances for material and financial 
reconstruction, appears to include a determination : 1. To nationalize 
petroleum and other mineral properties; 2, to utilize for Govern- 
ment purposes the net earnings of the national railways and other 



MEXICO. 103 

such organizations; 3, to defer the payment of the forced loan of 
54,000,000 pesos taken from the collapsing banks of issue. — [Com- 
merce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Dec. 3, 1918, p. 852.] 
Commercial Congress. 

According to an article in the issue of El Universal of January 3, 
the Chamber of Commerce of Mexico has proposed to hold a com- 
mercial congress in Mexico City some time in April, to consider 
trade relations between Mexico and other nations. Invitations will 
be extended to chambers of commerce of foreign countries, so that 
they may send representatives to attend the Congress. — [Report of 
U. S. consul general, Mexico City, Mexico, Jan. 6, 1919; Commerce 
Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Jan. 31, 1919, p. 532.] 

Conciliatory Policy. 

The Mexican Government has assumed a new policy in northern 
Mexico, evidently designed to quell disorder now threatening in 
many quarters. The policy promises to be conciliatory to various 
Mexican factions and to American interests. The new zone com- 
mander at Chihuahua City says American capital will be encour- 
aged.— [Herald, New York, N. Y., Jan. 29, 1919.] 

Damage Claims. 

American losses amounting to $250,000,000 through the revolution 
and border banditry in Mexico are being passed upon, and damage 
claims established by the indemnity commission of the Carranza 
Government, it is announced at the Mexican Embassy in Washing- 
ton.— [Wall Street Journal, New York, N. Y., Feb. 3, 1919.] 

Parcel-Post Tax. 

The American Ambassador has transmitted the text of a Mexican 
decree of January 7, imposing a special surtax of 15 per cent of the 
customs duties on all goods imported or exported by parcel post. — 
[Official U. S. Bulletin, Feb. 13, 1919.] 

Poreign Trade. 

Mexico will place in the United States a large order for railroad 
equipment to replace that destroyed in the revolution as soon as 
arrangements are completed for proposed bankers' credit which will 
be extended to Mexico as a result of the negotiations with the acting 
minister of finance. — [Wall Street Journal, New York, N. Y., Feb. 
14, 1919.] 

Revision of Concessions. 

Official information has been received that the Mexican secretary 
of agriculture has ordered a revision of concessions granted foreign 
corporations and individuals by former governments of Mexico. The 
need for greater agricultural development was given as the reason 



104 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. 

for the order, as well as the alleged detrimental use of the conces- 
sions.— [Post, Washington, D. C, Feb. 17, 1919.] 

Plans for Securing Trade. 

The British consulate in Mexico City has been sending out ques- 
tionnaires to important Mexican firms, in which they are asked to 
give full information in regard to the products they handle for ex- 
port or import; whether, on account of war conditions, they have 
transferred their business to other countries than those with which 
they formerly traded; what products will be most in demand upon 
the return of normal conditions ; whether they would object to an 
exchange of samples with British firms; what improvements could 
be made to facilitate trade with the British Empire, such as transpor- 
tation, credit, etc. ; the names of competitors among enemy and 
neutral firms, etc. — [Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, 
Apr. 5, 1919, p. 124.] 

Trade Development. 

As an evidence of the growing interest in trade the Mexican Gov- 
ernment has sent three new commercial agents to the United States 
and one to Spain ; and the department of industry, commerce, and 
labor has issued a circular to Mexican consular officers requesting 
that they submit full data relating to concerns interested in Mexican 
products. — [Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Apr. 5, 
1919, p. 124.] 

MONTENEGRO. 

Development of Agriculture. 

The secretary of the Montenegrin general directorate of agricul- 
ture is at present in Italy for the purpose of studying Italian agri- 
cultural methods. The Montenegrin Government intends to take in 
hand the development of agriculture, as the best means to bring 
about a rapid solution of the economic problems of the country. 
Agricultural schools are to be opened, and agriculturists are to be 
supplied with all the necessary materials which are to be purchased 
exclusively in Italy.— [II Sole", Dec. 30, 1918.] 

NETHERLANDS. 

Employment Prospects. 

The Chamber of Commerce at Groningen has appointed a com- 
mittee to consider whether unemployment was likely to follow demo- 
bilization. It reported that it was of the opinion that various raw 
materials will sooner or later be available after the war ; but to pro- 
vide against unemployment on account of lack of raw materials 
every effort should be made to speed up the supply. In the mean- 
time, they suggest public works as a way out of the difficulty. — 
[Nieuwe Courant, May 31, 1918.] 



NETHERLANDS. 105 

Economic Independence. 

Holland has made many efforts recently to render herself inde- 
pendent of other countries. The progress of the lignite industry is 
noteworthy, the annual output reaching roughly 1,000,000 tons. A 
company is developing the nitrate industry (winning nitrogen from 
the air). Newly discovered phosphate beds are being worked by a 
consortium. A salt-mining industry has been started which will 
entirely meet all demands at home. The recent construction of the 
first ferro-concrete ship in Holland has led to the erection of large 
mills for the manufacture of ferro-concrete. All these undertakings 
signify the beginning of completely new industries in Holland. It 
has been recommended that the director and managing director of 
any company actively employed in Holland shall be of Dutch nation- 
ality; that the majority of shares be held by Dutchmen; and that in 
undertakings of peculiar national importance, such as shipping and 
mining, the State should be represented. — [Welthandel. Aug. 2, 1918.] 

Foreign Trade Regulations. 

In July, 1918, the Government appointed a special economic com- 
mission and a commission for the promotion of foreign trade. 
Shortly afterwards it appointed a special commission for the pro- 
motion of trade relations between France and Holland. The cre- 
ation of a special commission for Anglo-Dutch trade is imminent. — 
TWelthandel, Aug. 2, 1918.] 
Trade after the War, Planning for. 

The Netherlands minister of foreign affairs installed on July 2 
the advisory commission for the foreign economic information serv- 
ice, which will act as an advisory body to the minister of foreign 
affairs and will be specially charged with developing and getting the 
greatest benefits out of the Netherlands foreign service. — [Com- 
merce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Sept. 3, 1918, p. 853.] 

Transition Economy. 

In order to unify the economic relations and negotiations with 
foreign countries, a board will be formed in the Dutch ministry of 
foreign affairs which will settle all economic questions, under guid- 
ance and responsibility of the minister. The board will be assisted 
by an advisory council on which a representative of the ministry of 
agriculture will have a seat. It is proposed to utilize this board for 
resuming negotiations with the belligerent powers. Preparations 
will also be made by it for the duties in the economic sphere that will 
devolve in the ministry for foreign affairs after the war. — [Weser- 
Zeitung, Oct. 4, 1918.] 
Demobilization of the Army. 

Everything possible is being done in Holland to forestall idleness 
among the soldiers of the Dutch Army, which is being demobilized. 



106 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. 

The Government has just announced that soldiers upon whom others 
are dependent for support will receive full pay for a period of 60 
days from the date of their release. Those upon whom no one is 
-dependent will be assisted financially by the national relief commit- 
tee. As each soldier leaves the service he will receive one new pair 
of shoes and one new suit of underclothing from the military stores. 
In cases of necessity, soldiers returning from the front will also be 
able to obtain from the national relief committee reimbursement for 
expenses connected with the moving of their families and household 
•effects back to their original place of residence. Special measures are 
to be taken to lend temporary financial support to members of the 
'Class of smaller tradesmen, arrangements for such assistance being 
made by the national relief committee and the necessary funds to be 
furnished by the State. 

The Government is urging all employers to take back into their 
employment on full pay, soldiers who are now returning from the 
army. In cases where employers feel themselves financially unable 
to do this, it is urged thaf the returning men should receive part pay. 
Such employees will also be able to secure further financial assist- 
ance from the national relief committee. — [Eeport of U. S. commer- 
cial attache at The Hague, Dec. 8, 1918; Commerce Reports, U. S. 
Dept. of Commerce, Jan. 30, 1919, p. 151.] 

Protection against Nationalization of Foreign Trade. 

The Dutch bureau of foreign commerce has appointed a commis- 
sion to discuss what measures, if any, should be adopted to protect 
the Dutch Indies against the losses which are likely to follow from 
the nationalization of foreign trade as proposed in Russia and antici- 
pated by many in Germany. Such centralization of foreign trade 
will, it is feared, depress the prices for the products of the Dutch 
colonies, and the only countermeasure is an increased centralization 
of the export from these parts. The Government has been urged to 
-create a system of export permits and to introduce a compulsory 
trust of producers — [Deutscher Aussenhandel, Dec. 10, 1918.] 

Commerce with France. 

A committee of Franco-Dutch trade intends to form a joint-stock 
•company for the encouragement of trade with France. A similar 
company is to be formed in Paris. The Dutch company is not to 
carry on trade itself, but is only to give its shareholders the necessary 
facilities for trade with France. — [Welthandel, Dec. 13, 1918.] 

tJovernment Control of Shipping Space. 

A State bureau for shipping has been instituted as a subbureau of 
the Netherlands ministry for foreign affairs. This bureau will have 
charge for making arrangements with the shipowners with a view to 
distributing the restricted amount of shipping space according to the 



NEW ZEALAND. 107 

import needs of the country. It will take over all functions relative 
to the administration of the ship requisitions and ship export laws — 
[Report of U. S. commercial attache, The Hague. Dec. 15, 1918; 
Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Jan. 30, 1919, p. 461.] 

Shorter Hours and Higher Wages. 

Amsterdam and several other cities in Holland are reducing the 
working day of municipal employees from nine hours or more to eight 
hours; simultaneously, the wages of such employees in Amsterdam 
are being readjusted on a higher basis, the lowest annual pay for un- 
skilled labor being 1,264 florins, or about $508. The eight-hour day 
has also been established by several Dutch factories during the past 
year _[Report of U. S. consul, Amsterdam, Holland, Dec. 21, 1918; 
Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Feb. 11, 1919, p. 667.] 

NEW ZEALAND. 

Aerial Postal Service. 

The postmaster general for New Zealand has announced that at 
the close of the war it is proposed to establish an aerial mail service 
in that Dominion extending from Aukland to Dunedin, a distance of 
about 700 miles.— [Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, 
Dec. 20, 1918, p. 1091.] 

Soldier-Settlement Plan. 

Discharged soldiers' settlement act, 1916, amended 1917 (6, Geo. V. 
45, 1916), provides for soldier settlements. Advances will be made 
for clearing, etc. An appropriation of $3,000,000 has been made; 
276,000 acres have been set aside and will be let out on a 66-year lease 
or freehold. Training can be obtained at State farms. It is desir- 
able that applicants have some capital.— [" Work and Homes for our 
Fighting Men," Reclamation Service, Dept. of the Interior, 1919, 
pp. 20, 21.] 

Soldier Land- Settlement Scheme. 

The New Zealand Government has outlined a very generous scheme 
for the resettling of returned soldiers on the land in this Dominion, 
with a view to developing the very large tracts of wild land still 
found in different parts of the country. 

It is proposed to appropriate 1,000,000 pounds ($4,866,500) during 
the coming year for this purpose, which is to be used partly in taking 
over large estates and dividing them into small allotments and in 
making advancements to soldiers in order to give them funds to 
begin farming.— [Report of the U. S. consul general at Aukland, 
N. Z., Nov. 28, 1918 ; Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, 
Jan. 10, 1919, p. 139.] 



108 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. 

Proposed Public Improvements. 

The New Zealand Government proposes to place loans for 2,500,000 
pounds ($12,166,250) to be devoted entirely to public works, which 
cover railroad construction, arterial highways and bridges, public 
buildings, and the preparation of plans for a large hydroelectric 
development scheme under consideration. Of this amount, 300,000 
pounds are to be allotted for school buildings. — [Report of the U. S. 
consul general at Aukland, N. Z., Nov.- 28, 1918 ; Commerce Reports, 
U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Feb. 4, 1919, p. 555.] 

Proposed Development Schemes. 

It is proposed to greatly increase the railroad mileage in the Do- 
minion during the next few years, and to enter upon a special cam- 
paign of good-road construction in order to develop the remoter 
sections. Much attention is given to more efficient agricultural 
methods, and it is proposed to organize schools of instruction along 
this line to assist the returned soldiers in making the most of the 
undeveloped sections of the Dominion. It is also proposed to ex- 
pend large sums of money on the drainage of extensive tracts of 
swamp lands. — [Report of the U. S. consul general at Aukland^ 
N. Z., Nov. 28, 1918; Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept, of Commerce. 
Feb. 4, 1919, p. 555.] 

Profiteering. 

A report just issued by the interstate commerce commission in 
Wellington, New Zealand, claims that the enormous rise during the 
war in prices of articles of wear was due not to increased wages and 
cost of materials, but to the fact that manufacturers and dealers 
took advantage of the public to increase their profits, which were 
double or treble those of 1914 in each of the years of the war. — 
[The Public, New York, N. Y., Mar. 29, 1919, p. 333.] 

NORWAY. 

Norwegian-American Exhibition at Christiania. 

According to a circular sent out by the Norges Handels og 
Sjefartstidende (Norwegian Mercantile and Shipping Gazette), 
efforts are being made to hold an exposition in Christiania of Ameri- 
can-made goods in the summer of 1919. The purpose, as expressed 
in the circular, will be " to give a comprehensive survey of the present 
commercial relations and to form, further connection between the 
United States and Norway." — [Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of 
Commerce, Jan. 24, 1919, p. 281.] 

Copartnership for Industrial Peace. 

The Norwegian Parliament recentty set up a committee to inquire 
into the pros and cons of copartnership as a means of securing in- 



PAN AMERICA. 109 

dustrial peace. The committee is composed of employers and labor 
representatives with a few outside experts. — [The Survey, New York, 
N. Y.. Jan. 25. 1019, p. 559.] 

PANAMA CANAL. 

Reestablishment of Radio Service. 

The restrictions which were placed on radio service in Canal Zone 
waters during the war have been removed. However, the Canal Zone 
radio stations are as yet open to commercial traffic only with the 
United States, British, and neutral vessels. — [Commerce Reports, 
U. S. Dept, of Commerce, Jan. 15, 1919, p. 218.] 

PAN AMERICA. 

A Pan American Federation of Labor. 

A movement for a better understanding and closer cooperation 
among organized labor bodies of the countries of America has been 
under way for some time: and in May, 1918, the American Federa- 
tion of Labor sent to Mexico a commission of three members to in- 
terest Mexican organized labor in a proposed labor conference at 
Laredo, Tex., between representatives of the organized labor move- 
ment of Mexico and representatives of the American Federation of 
Labor. The visit of the commission occurred just after the close of 
a Mexican labor convention held at Saltillo, Coahuila, for the pur- 
pose of establishing a Mexican federation of labor ; and the members 
of the commission found much interest manifested in the object of 
their visit. Mexican labor unions were invited to send delegates to 
the St. Paul convention of the American Federation of Labor; but 
since the delegates arrived too late to participate, a formal meeting 
of the Pan American Federation of Labor conference committee was 
held for their benefit at Washington, D. C. The date for the Inter- 
national Labor Conference at Laredo, Tex., was set for November 
13-16, 1919. All the organizations of labor in Mexico have been 
invited to send delegates, and many have accepted the invitation. — 
[Monthly Labor Review, U. S. Dept. of Labor, November, 1918, pp. 
257, 258, 259.] 

Establishment of Temperance Zones. 

The President has issued a decree establishing temperance zones 
in Paraguay, the first official movement of any character to restrict 
the manufacture and sale of distilled liquors in the country. The 
movement was initiated by the American meat-packing companies 
that have recently opened plants in this country. The companies 
had already prohibited the use and sale of liquor on their premises, 
but employees were able to make purchases from the numerous small 
liquor stands put up in the vicinity. — [Commerce Reports, U. S. 
Dept. of Commerce, Apr. 25, 1919, p. 549.] 



110 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. 

PERU. 

Foreign Commerce. 

The minister of the treasury has submitted to the Peruvian Con- 
gress a proposal to establish a bureau of commerce in his department 
for the purpose of handling the increased demand for such a service 
arising from the rapid growth of the foreign commerce of Peru. — 
[Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Dec. 19, 1918, p. 1085.] 

Finance. 

The United States Federal Reserve Board announces that Peru has 
established a bank credit of $15,000,000 here to aid foreign trade be- 
tween Peru and United States. — [Post, New York, N. Y., Dec. 28, 
1918.] 
Exchange Situation. 

The Peruvian currency law, which became effective in September 
last and fixed the legal rate at which all transactions in exchange on 
New York and London must be conducted, has stabilized the exchange 
situation in Peru. Transactions in exchange on other countries and 
in other currencies than American and British have not been re- 
stricted in the same manner, resulting in the development of active 
trading on Paris, Italian, and Spanish financial centers. — [U. S. con- 
sul general, Callao-Lima, Peru, Dec. 24, 1918; Commerce Reports, 
U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Jan. 24, 1919, p. 871.] 

POLAND. 

Reconstruction Organization. 

At a conference held in Warsaw between the various depart- 
mental heads of the Polish Government, the chief of the reconstruc- 
tion department of the liquidation commission presented a state- 
ment, based on extensive statistics, of the reconstruction of Galicia ; 
and submitted a project for the organization of a central recon- 
struction office as an interministerial authority, with headquarters in 
Warsaw. The conference appointed a commission of three who are 
to deliver at a later meeting the completed project for the new 
organization. The most important financial institutions in the three 
sections of Poland have expressed their readiness to support the 
work of reconstruction. — [Nowa Reforma, Nov. 30, 1918.] 
Reconstruction Measures. 

At a conference attended by all the ministers, recently held in 
Warsaw at the ministry of labor, to discuss questions of reconstruc- 
tion and of giving work to the unemployed, the problem of the organi- 
zation of a ministry of public works and reconstruction came under 
discussion; also the question of employment. It was resolved to 



PORTUGAL. Ill, 

make a proposition to the council of ministers to open a permanent 
interministerial commission for dealing with economic problems and, 
dependent upon this, an economic department to secure raw materials 
and thereby ensure the unification of the economic policy during the 
period of transition. As regards the question of unemployment the 
interministerial commission has laid before the council of ministers 
statistics showing that works can be put in hand at once, specifying, 
the number of workmen required for each branch. The council of 
ministers approved the immediate starting of the most necessary 
work, and assigned 250,000,000 marks for the purpose. — [Nowa. 
Eeforma, Dec. 7, 1918.] 

State and Industrial Undertaking's. 

The industry handicraft and commerce department of the liquida- 
tion commission has founded a directorate of State industrial insti- 
tutions, which is to take over for the Polish State all industrial con- 
cerns and their warehouses (except the mining institutions, iron, 
foundries, and monopolies, which will be managed by the State), 
especially those organized under the military and civil Austrian 
authorities in the Provinces which now form part of Poland. The 
directorate will take charge of the administration and activities of 
these institutions and insure their being utilized for the greatest 
possible public good. — [Nowa Eeforma, Dec. 11, 1918.] 

Financial Development. 

The economic development of Polish financial institutions is pro- 
gressing, and her banking system is 'being reorganized by the Polish 
National Bank. Many banks, mining companies, and foundries are 
raising their capital, it being supplied by Polish capitalists. These 
and other similar institutions are carrying on the moblization of 
Polish capital, and a sound economic development may be hoped for 
in the country. The liquidation commission is appealing to private 
owners of gold and silver articles which are damaged or useless to 
give these objects to the State, as they will provide a store of precious 
metals which will be of use as a foundation for future currency. In 
case of limited means on the part of holders of such articles, the 
testing office in Cracow will pay their value in kronen, according to* 
the exchange now obtaining. — [Glos Narodu, Jan. 19, 1919.] 

PORTUGAL. 

Portuguese-American Trade. 

Many large Portugese firms are sending representatives to the 
United States to arrange, in addition to present business, connections- 
for after-the-war trade. — [Commerce Reports, IT. S. Dept. of Com- 
merce, Sept. 30, 1918, p. 1189.] 



112 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. 

Bounties for Cereal Cultivation. 

In order to stimulate agricultural production in the Republic, the 
Portuguese Government has recently issued a decree providing for 
the granting of bounty to cultivators of wheat, maize, or rye in re- 
spect of the 1919 and following crops, up to one year after the 
termination of the war; a bounty of 4 escudoes for every kilogram 
of wheat; and 3 escudoes for every kilogram of maize in excess of 
the harvest of 1918 being granted. Proprietors or lessees who, in 
the agricultural year 1918 and the following year up to a year after 
the termination of the war, proved that they have sown or cultivated 
waste lands in wheat, maize, rye, rice, peas, chickpeas, or potatoes 
will be granted a bounty of 10 escudoes per hectare. Owners of 
vineyards who during this period produce in their vineyards any of 
the above-mentioned products will be granted a bounty of 3 escudoes 
per hectare. Buyers of waste or farm lands to be put under cultiva- 
tion within three years will be exempted from payment of the land 
registration tax. ■ The decree also fixes maximum prices for the sale 
of oats, barley, peas, potatoes, chickpeas, and hay. — [Diario do 
Governo, Sept. 25, 1918; British Board of Trade Journal, Oct. 10, 
1918, p. 461.] 

RUSSIA. 

Economic Control and Regulation of Industry. 

A report submitted to the fifth All-Russian Congress of Soviets 
by the peoples' commissary for commerce and industry, points out 
that the new regime has introduced the principle of economic con- 
trol and regulation of industry, a novel principle in modern history. 
According to the report it was introduced at first as a result of the 
deliberate sabotage on the part of the capitalist class, necessitating, 
as it did, the assumption of control of the abandoned factories and 
works. Everywhere local labor or Soviet organizations formed 
special bodies to take over and control the thus disorganized in- 
dustry, after which economic councils emerged as a uniform type 
of such bodies, culminating in the formation of the supreme economic 
council. Russia's foreign trade was nationalized by decree of April 
22, 1918.— [Isvestiya, July 12, 1918.] 
Economic Policy. 

The principles approved by the All-Russian Congress of the 
Economic Councils comprise nationalization of foreign trade, of 
private commercial capital, of the national economy as defined 
by the authorities which regulate production and distribution, and 
elimination of private trade. In order to insure a fair distribution 
of existing supplies, in accordance with the home economy policy, 
all foreign orders, those of the war office included, must be placed 



RUSSIA. 113 

with the foreign trade council, to whom also is entrusted the 
settlement of the following questions: Currency; estimates and dis- 
tribution of cargo space ; ocean-transport insurance ; storehouses and 
elevators; securities; customs. — [Kolnische Zeitung, Aug. 14, 1918.] 

Foreign Trade After the War. 

Russia's foreign trade will necessarily be changed from the former 
private organization to one controlled by the Government. It is 
suggested in the Petrograd Trade and Commerce Gazette, June 8, 
1918, that the future economic program should be to develop an 
export business in manufactured articles rather than in agricultural 
and other raw materials. — [Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Com- 
merce, Sept 30, 1918, p. 1190.] 
German Commercial Interests in Baltic Provinces. 

A German committee of experts has traveled in the Russian Baltic 
Provinces studying conditions for the purpose of suggesting meas- 
ures for developing the agriculture of the districts and their means 
of communication. — [Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, 
Sept. 30, 1918, p. 1213.] 

Swedish Commercial Interests in Russia. 

The Swedish General Exporters' Association has taken the initia- 
tive for the establishment of a Swedish forwarding office in Russia 
and has directed attention to Russia's possibilities for Swedish com- 
mercial interests. — [Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, 
Sept. 30, 1918, p. 1216.] 

Foreign Trade. 

The president of the supreme administration of the northern region 
published a decree concerning the foreign trade of North Russia. 
An interdepartmental committee has been organized to determine the 
conditions of the market and water transport. It will get up a gen- 
eral plan and organization of foreign trade and determine a scheme 
of foreign exchange. Methods will be devised for the supply and dis- 
tribution of exported and imported goods and produce in the north- 
ern region. Reports will be drawn up as to what transport is avail- 
able for cargoes of supplies for export and import by sea, river, rail, 
and ordinary roads. It will fix prices and determine to what de- 
partments, public organizations, private persons, and corporations, 
produce and goods shall be delivered. Cargoes delivered for mili- 
tant purposes and needs will not come under the jurisdiction of the 
committee.— [Official Vestnik, Oct. 5, 1918.] 

Nationalization of Insurance System. 

The subject of nationalization of the insurance business is coming 
promptly forward and a committee intrusted with settling the ques- 
115488—19 8 



114 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. 

tion is reported to have decided in favor of dissolving the private 
companies and nationalizing the whole insurance system. It also 
considered the question of compulsory insurance without arriving at 
a decision. — [Zeitschrift fur Versicherungswesen, Nov. 19, 1918.] 

Activities of the United States Russian Bureau. 

The War Trade Board of the United States-Russian Bureau, In- 
corporated, is a company which has been engaged by the United 
States War Trade Board at the direction of the President of the 
United States, for the purpose of helping the Russians to help them- 
selves in stabilizing the economic situation in Russia. It has a capital 
stock of $5,000,000, all of which has been issued and fully paid in 
cash out of Government funds. The stock is owned entirely by the- 
United States Government. — [Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of 
Commerce, Nov. 30, 1918, p. 826.] 

Finance. 

Bankers in Allied countries, together with one New York bank, 
have formed the State Bank of the Northern District of Russia, with 
offices in Archangel, to operate in fields dominated by Allied Armies. 
Currency, with initial value of 40 rubles to the pound sterling, will, 
be issued against Russian gold on deposit with the Bank of England. 
This will give the ruble a value for the present of about 12 cents. — 
[Wall Street Journal, New York, N. Y., Dec. 18, 1918.] 

Russian-Pacific Trade Expansion. 

The journal of the Russo-American Committee for the Far East 
was begun in August, 1918, in Vladivostok, Siberia. It is printed 
partly in English and partly in Russian. — [Commerce Reports, U. S. 
Dept. of Commerce, Dec. 23, 1918, p. 1121.] 
Mobilization of Food Supply. 

The Moscow Government has published a decree which places all 
the land fit for sowing grain, and not already used by individuals 
or cooperative organizations, at the disposition of the State, which 
will arrange for the sowing. Any individual or collective use of this: 
land in the year 1919 can be made only on the authorization of peo- 
ple's commissaries and local organizations. The Moscow Govern- 
ment has decided to take immediate measures to carry out the mobili- 
zation of food-supply workers, in order that the work of collect- 
ing food products may not be hindered by the absence of workers. — 
[Times, New York, N. Y., Jan. 15, 1919.] 

Finance. 

Reports from the Russian Government at Omsk indicate that cus- 
toms and excise receipts are increasing rapidly and that the Govern- 
ment is able to collect taxes on realty. The minister of agriculture- 
announced that the agrarian problem will be solved through the 



RUSSIA-SIBERIA. 115 

division of land among peasants, giving small land holders a chance 
to extend property on their merits. — [Wall Street Journal, New 
York. N. Y., Feb. 6, 1919.] 

Industrial Control. 

To prevent the industrial conquest of Kussia by Germany, the 
American-Russian Chamber of Commerce, in cooperation with the 
College of the City of New York, is presenting a series of lectures 
on the situation in Russia. These organizations declare that it is 
vitally important to the United States and the Allies that they pre- 
vent German influence in Russia. They state that Russia to-day 
holds the political and economic balance of power in Europe; that 
as a result of the war and the Bolshevik upheaval Russia has not 
only ceased to be the granary of Europe but presents an appalling 
picture of famine; and if Russia in her present disorganized condi- 
tion is left to drift we can expect the restoration of absolutism, pro- 
tected, organized, and guided by Germany. Another great menace of 
the war looms ahead if Russia is left to be reorganized by Germans. — 
[Sun, New York, N. Y., Feb. 14, 1919.] 
Industrial Reconstruction. 

Catherine Breshkovskaya in her testimony before the United 
States Senate propaganda inquiry committee pleaded earnestly that 
America send machinery and other materials to Russia at once to 
aid in an industrial reconstruction, which she said would result in 
ridding the nation of the Bolshevik burden. She further stated that 
if the Bolsheviki are not put down it will mean the domination of 
Russia by Germany and Japan and that these two rivals will divide 
Russia between them. — [Star, Washington, D. C, Feb. 15, 1919.] 

RUSSIA-SIBERIA. 

Siberian Railway. 

The Acting United States Secretary of State announced that the 
United States had accepted formally the proposal of the Japanese 
Government in regard to plans for the restoration of railway traffic 
in Siberia. The purpose of the agreement is to assist the Russians 
in Siberia in regaining their normal conditions of life, and it has been 
made upon a definite understanding that the railways are to be 
operated for the interests of the peoples of Siberia. Neither the 
United States nor Japan are infringing on any existing right, either 
of Russia or China. Technical and economical management of the 
railways will be in the hands of a technical board, the president of 
which will be the former head of the American Railway Commission 
sent to Russia in 1917. A military board will coordinate matters 
affecting military transportation arising from the presence in Russia 
of military forces of the United States and the Allies. — [Post, Wash- 
ington, D.^ C. Feb. 11, 1919.] 



116 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. 

Industry Tinder the Soviets. 

The official newspaper, Izvestiya, says that nationalization of 
industry and trade has not prevented incessant strikes. Forty -two 
per cent of the workmen engaged in State undertakings, including 
transport, struck work at least once in 1918. Wages in a group of 
industries, including iron and coal mines, sawmills, electrical and 
machine works, and soap factories, rose 173 per cent between August 
1, 1918, and January 1, 1919. The rise in prices of necessities during 
the last six months of 1918 was about 145 per cent everywhere, except 
in the big cities, where it was considerably more. The State soap 
industry lost 1,846,000 rubles in the three months, July-September. 
Five other industries lost 6,789,000 rubles in the same time, with a 
further loss of 5,700,000 rubles on depreciation of plants. While the 
State shoe factories and clothing factories are working somewhat 
more satisfactorily, they also are run at a loss. However, " they have 
exceeded hopes in satisfying the barefooted, half -naked population." 
In Moscow, high boots of the kind usually worn by peasants are 
produced at 245 rubles a pair, but the upper leggings are made of a 
substitute — impregnated canvas. "Lack of manufacturing experts 
and a surplus of bureaucrats and inspectors," says Izvestiya, " is 
the curse of our system of State nationalization. Attempts must be 
made to get trained workmen who will act as foremen, and to reduce 
the vast army of clerks and bookkeepers." As an instance of this 
■evil it is pointed out that in two of the largest State shoe factories 
there are two members of the clerical staff for every five workmen. — 
[Standard Daily Trade Service, New York, N. Y., Apr. 16, 1919, 
p. 113.] 

SCANDINAVIAN COUNTRIES. 

Economic Cooperation, Scheme for. 

The permanent Scandinavian Economic Committee at a recent 
meeting elected a subcommittee consisting of two Norwegians, two 
Swedes, and two Danes to work out in detail proposals for the fur- 
ther development of economic cooperation between the three coun- 
tries. A large central purchasing office is to be established, with 
headquarters probably in Copenhagen. — [Deutscher Aussenhandel, 
Sept. 25, 1918.] 

Association for Protection of Rights After the War. 

Representatives of shipping and commercial interests from all 
Scandanavia have been meeting in Copenhagen to form an associa- 
tion for the general protection of their rights after the war. — [Com- 
merce Eeports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Dec. 18, 1918, p. 1065.] 



SOUTH AFRICA. 11 7 

SIBERIA. 

Shipping Service, Renewal of. 

The various steamship companies that formerly operated regular 
steamers between Vladivostok, and Canadian and United States 
ports are considering the reestablishment of their services. — [Com- 
merce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Oct. 30, 1918, p. 414.] ' 

. SOUTH AFRICA. 

Disabled Soldiers and Their Dependents, Assistance to; Vocational Education. 

Appeals are being made in the South African press for further 
subscriptions to the Governor-General's Fund. This is a national 
fund and, recognizes no distinction of province or race. All South 
African soldiers and their dependents are entitled to be helped from it 
according to their needs. It was started in September, 1914, and is 
administered by an executive committee which works through more 
than 100 local committees distributed throughout the Union. The 
objects of the fund are to afford assistance to the dependents of men 
serving in the field, to discharged and disabled soldiers, and to de- 
pendents of those who fall. 

Vocational training is carried on for the most part at the South 
African Hospital, Richmond, at the expense of the fund. Similar 
institutions and classes have been started elsewhere. Temporary help 
is given by the fund to discharged men and their families while em- 
ployment is being sought. 

One local branch of the fund has a special department for assist- 
ing discharged men to get their pensions put on the right basis so far 
as the pension act allows. Up to the end of April, 1918, the fund 
amounted to 1,750,000 pounds. — [Rand Daily Mail, Johannesburg, 
July 12, 1918.] 

Discharged Soldiers, Finding Employment for. 

The assistant director of the returned soldiers central employment 
bureau, Pretoria, stated in an interview that 12,000 men had been. 
placed in employment through the efforts of the returned soldiers 
committees, of which there are 36 in different parts of the Union. 

At the beginning of 1917, a circular letter was issued to all recruit- 
ing and Governor-General Fund committees announcing that the 
Government had decided to establish a central employment bureau' 
and asking for the cooperation of these local bodies. The system 
to be followed was outlined, the idea being to coordinate the efforts 
of all committees so that districts with unfilled vacancies could, be 
placed in communication with others which had suitable men.- — 
[Cape Times, July 26, 1918.] 



118 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. 

Timber Resources. 

The industrial advisory board has made a report on the question of 
making the timber resources of the Union of South Africa available 
for general industrial purposes. — [Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. 
of Commerce, Sept. 30, 1918, p. 1215.] 

Soldier Settlement. 

The land-settlement act, 1912, and amendments, 1917, provide for 
soldier settlements. Provisions of the act are administered by the 
minister of lands and land boards. Loans of $1,250- on stock and 
equipment, and advances up to $25 per month are made to families. 
Loans and advances can be repaid in 3-J and 7 years. 4J> per cent in- 
terest is charged. Appropriations by the provincial parliament have 
been made for purchase of private lands at prices not to exceed $7,500 
for each settler who furnishes one-fifth of the price. Settlers will 
each be given a lease for 5 years and option to purchase at price fixed 
at time of lease, with 20 years to pay. There will be no rent the first 
year ; the second and third years it will be 2 per cent ; the fourth and 
fifth years, 3-|- per cent; and the sixth to tenth years, 4 per cent. 
Training will be provided. — [" Work and Homes for Our Fighting 
Men"; Reclamation Service, U. S. Dept. of the Interior, 1919, pp. 
20, 21.] 

SPAIN". 
Nationalization of Railways. 

The Espana Economica y Financiera announces that the Spanish 
Government intends to issue a loan for 2 or 3 billion pesos in order 
to take over the Spanish railways and to build new branch lines. — 
[Norddeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung, May 14, 1918.] 

Economic Program of the Spanish Government. 

The minister of public works has outlined to the Spanish press the 
steps which the Government hopes to take in order to set in motion 
the work of Spain's economic reconstitution. 

A commission has been appointed by the Spanish Minister of Fi- 
nance which will work out a comprehensive economic program, which 
includes : 

1. The purchase of the railroads and their operation by the State. 

2. The utilization of the waterfalls for motive power. 

3. A special mining law providing for the participation of the 
State in " extra profits." 

4. The creation of a national industrial bank. 

5. The rebuilding of the nation's industries. 

^Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Aug. 28, 1918, 
p. 788 ; Nov. 6, 1918, p. 507.] 



STRAITS SETTLEMENTS. 119 

■Organization for Post-War Competition. 

A Congress of Civil Engineers will be convened in the spring of 
1919. the object of which will be " the organization of Spanish civil 
engineers for their mutual benefit and the development of their re- 
sources to enable them to compete efficaciously in large enterprises 
that will be undertaken after the war." A study will be made of 
Spanish production in its relation to other countries, etc. — [Com- 
merce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Nov. 8, 1918, p. 529.] 

Possibilities of Commercial Expansion, Investigation of. 

A commission of engineers has been appointed by royal order to 
study the actual state and probable development of the metallurgical 
industries in the Republics of South America, including an investiga- 
tion of the possibilities of Spanish commercial expansion, the mar- 
kets for Spanish metallurgical products, and the procuring of raw 
materials. The creation of this commission is regarded in Spain as 
necessanr to domestic economy in preparation for the time when 
peace will have put commerce on a normal footing. — [Report of U. S. 
consul general at Barcelona, Spain, Nov. 10, 1918; Commerce Re- 
ports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Jan. 6, 1919, p. 63.] . 

Opportunities for Investment of American Capital. 

The following is an abstract of a statement recently made in con- 
ference by a high Spanish authority : 

The time has never been so opportune as it is at the present mo- 
ment to establish broad commercial bonds between Spain and the 
United States. This is for several reasons : 

1. The very great prestige which the United States has gained in 
the eyes of Spain, due to the wonderful success that was attained in 
connection with the war. 

2. The very great need in Spain of importing certain raw mate- 
rials, but more particularly manufactured articles to replace used-up 
stock and equipment, (railways, tramways, factories, etc.). 

3. The need of a larger outlet for Spain's own exports. 

4. The vital need of the development of Spain's own industries 
through financial support from outside. — [Commerce Reports, U. S. 
Dept. of Commerce, Jan. 25, 1919, p. 397.] 

STRAITS SETTLEMENTS. 

New Steamship Lines to the United States. 

Several new lines of direct steamship communication between 
Singapore and the United States ports are being added to those- 
already in operation, with the result that the facilities for the carry- 
ing of trade between the United States and this important port and 



120 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. 

trade center will be vastly increased in the near future. — [Report of 
U. S. consul general, Singapore, Nov. 22, 1918, Commerce Keports, 
U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Jan. 25, 1919, p. 390.] 

SWEDEN. 

Foreign Service Reorganization. 

The assistant secretary of state announces that the foreign service of 
Sweden is to be reorganized ; the diplomatic and consular services are 
to be amalgamated. Many additional commercial attache positions 
will be established throughout the world. — [Official U. S. Bulletin, 
Feb. 14, 1919.] 

Foreign Trade, Resumption of. 

A central council of export industry has been formed at the instance 
of the general export association and of the industrial association. — 
[Der Welthandel, May 31, 1918.] 

High Cost of Building. 

The price of building materials of all kinds has risen between 400 
and 500 per cent, and this is hampering house building, the need for 
which is great, especially in the large cities where there is much con- 
gestion. A municipal committee in Stockholm has recommended 
that, to bring down prices, export duties should be imposed on wood 
and iron. The committee further suggests that import of such ma- 
terial be duty free, and that a bounty on imports be paid, the 
expenditure to be covered out of the yield of the export duties. — 
[Standard Daily Trade Service, New York, N. Y., Mar. 4, 1919, 
p. 438.] 

SWITZERLAND. 

National Trade-Mark for Swiss Exports. 

A syndicate named "Spes" (Syndicat pour l'Exportation Suisse) 
has been formed under the auspices of the Chambers of Commerce 
of Basle, Geneva, and Zurich for the purpose of encouraging the 
export of Swiss products. Goods of purely Swiss origin will be 
marked with the trade-mark " Spes." Any Swiss producer of trade 
commodities may belong to the syndicate, provided he has fulfilled 
the statutory conditions regarding the Swiss origin of his goods, the 
capital employed, and the persons engaged in their production. — 
[Der Welthandel, May 31, 1918.] 
Electrification of Railways. 

In order to avoid in future the political awkwardness and danger 
arising from dependence on foreign countries for the fuel needed in 
operating its transportation system the general direction of the 
Swiss federal railways has outlined a detailed plan for electrifica- 
tion by the utilization of its water-power resources. 



TURKEY. 121 

The railway management of the Canton Berne has adopted the 
electrification program and has contracted for part of the work. The 
cost of this undertaking is estimated at 150,000 francs per kilometer 
or 50,000,000 francs for the whole line. This cost will be met by the 
railway companies, the Canton, the communes concerned, and the 
Swiss Federation. — [Commerce Reports, TJ. S. Dept. of Commerce,. 
Nov. 7, 1918. p. 524; Kolnische Zeitung, Dec. 7, 1918.] 
Swiss Parliament. 

The Swiss Parliament is considering a revision of the Swiss Con- 
stitution to include proportional elections for the National Council 
and an increase in the number of members of the Government from 
seven to nine. — [Post, Washington, D. C, Jan. 29, 1919.] 
Economic Agreement Ratified. 

The Swiss Federal Council has ratified the economic agreement 
made with France in Paris on March 25, to be valid until December 
31. The French Government is to deliver to Switzerland each month 
60.000 tons of coal from the Saar mines, and assure Switzerland of a 
supply of steel. Switzerland is to export to France 25,000 head of 
cattle, 15,000 to be delivered immediately. — [The Public, New York, 
N. Y., Apr. 19, 1919, p. 410.] 
Swiss Relief and Creditors' Association for Russia. 

For the purpose of protecting Swiss commercial interests in Rus- 
sia, there has recently been formed an organization known as the 
Swiss Relief and Creditors' Association for Russia. The leading 
chambers of commerce are represented in this organization, and the 
aid and cooperation of Swiss diplomatic and consular officials in 
Russia have been assured. Many of the leading manufacturers and 
exporters in the embroidery industry in eastern Switzerland have 
had a large prewar trade for their products with Russia, and an 
effort is being made to have such interested parties become members 
of this new association. — [Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Com- 
merce. Apr. 28, 1919, p. 579.] 

TURKEY. 

Transition Economy. 

The Turkish minister of finance, during the discussion of the budget 
last year, made an announcement with reference to Turkey's foreign 
trade during the first years after the war. In the debate at this year's 
budget the minister again referred to the matter, and with such de- 
tail that it is clear that the Government has already made definite 
plans for transition economy. Import is to be restricted, export ex- 
tended. He regards it as desirable that Government control of im- 
ports and exports shall continue for about six years after the war, 



122 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. 

the Government control to be exercised by means of the admission 
or refusal of foreign bills. — [Wirtschaftszeitung der Zentralmachte, 
Aug. 23, 1918.] 

British Government Dairy Farms and Other Agricultural Undertakings. 

The British military authorities have established model dairy 
farms at seven different points in Mesopotamia. These are man- 
aged by experts and the milk is treated under hygienic conditions. 
Each farm has been equipped with an up-to-date dairy plant and 
machinery, and the whole dairy produce, consisting of milk, cream, 
and butter, is turned over to the military hospitals. Large numbers 
of cattle have been imported from India, and efforts are being put 
forth to improve and increase the herds. The department of agri- 
culture, which henceforth will control the dairy farms, has been 
very active in different directions. Various demonstration farms, 
such as poultry, wheat, and cotton farms, have been established. 
New canals, irrigation channels, dams, reservoirs, and the reconstruc- 
tion of similar works which have long fallen into disuse, have been 
undertaken. — [Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Apr. 
15, 1919, p. 323.] 

British Banking Activities. 

In connection with the resumption of commercial activities in 
Constantinople by various foreign interests the British Trade Cor- 
poration has created a branch for near-eastern trade, known as 
the Levant Co. (Ltd.) ; has purchased a controlling interest in 
the local firm of Whittall & Co., which formerly had exten- 
sive shipping connections with the United States, and also in 
the National Bank of Turkey. It is also reported that at least one 
of the London " Big Four " commercial banks will establish a branch 
in Constantinople and in other main cities of Asia Minor. SeveraJ 
Constantinople business men who have always been interested in 
American trade are urging the necessity of the establishment of an 
American bank in Constantinople, with branches in Smyrna and 
other important shipping points. — [Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. 
of Commerce, Apr. 15. 1919, p. 324.] 

UNITED KINGDOM. 

Ministry of Reconstruction. 

The ministry of reconstruction was created by act of Parliament, 
1917, to continue for the duration of the war and for two years after 
its conclusion. The functions of the minister of reconstruction are 
to institute such inquiries, prepare such schemes, and make such 
recommendations as he thinks fit concerning problems arising out of 
the war; to be acquainted with all proposals for dealing with post- 
war problems which are under consideration by Government depart- 



UNITED KINGDOM. 123 

ments or committees, ori put forward by responsible bodies or per- 
sons; to study them in their bearings upon each other; to initiate 
proposals for dealing with matters which are not already covered; 
and to build up out of all this material, for submission to Parliament, 
a reasoned policy of reconstruction in all its branches. An advisory 
council representative of all the leading interests concerned in re- 
construction assists the minister of reconstruction, and he is also 
being aided by 87 different committees and commissions set up to deal 
with after-the-war questions. — [British war cabinet, report for year 
1917, ch. XVI.] 
Industry and Commerce. 

The committee on commercial and industrial policy after the war 
in its report states that, while British industry engaged in such lines 
as coal, cotton and the textile trades generally, shipbuilding, and 
some branches of the engineering trades (such as textile machinery), 
has made great strides forward ; the iron and steel trades had made 
comparatively little progress, and had come to be overshadowed by 
their great competitors in German}^ and the United States; that in 
the rise and expansion of the more modern branches of industrial 
production the United Kingdom had taken a very limited share; 
and it is admitted that in a number of smaller trades, foreign manu- 
facturers had shown greater enterprise and originality. Certain 
branches of production, of great importance as a basis for other 
manufactures, had come to be entirely or very largely under German 
control due to the Germans' persistent scientific work and organizing 
skill. A proposition is made that in the transition following the 
war. enemy goods be prohibited for at least 12 months following 
peace, especially to prevent Germany from recapturing fields of 
trade which had been built up by the British during the war. Ex- 
tended discussion is given to Government control and Government 
purchase of raw materials, and the encouragement of their produc- 
tion at home. Adoption of the metric system and of decimal cur- 
rency, and several other important subjects are reported upon. — 
[British committee on commercial and industrial policy after the 
war, December, 1917.] 
Government Policy Concerning Agriculture. 

The agricultural policy subcommittee in its report recommends, 
inasmuch as agriculture is regarded as a dangerous industry to in- 
vest in. due to climate, pests, weeds, and the policy of the Gov- 
ernment with regard to imposts, that taxes and reclamation projects 
be handled with these facts in mind; that pests and weeds be con- 
trolled as far as possible through seed inspection and inspection of 
manure supply; that a standard uniform system of weights and 
measures be substituted for the current practice; and that trans- 



124 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. 

portation facilities be administered with a view to aiding agricul- 
ture. — [British agricultural policy subcommittee's report, Jan. 30, 
1918.] 
Improvement of Social and Industrial Conditions. 

In its interim report the committee on adult education states that, 
in order to safeguard society itself from internal civil dissension, as 
well as from external war, certain definite conditions of life are 
deemed indispensable. To this end it is proposed that the workday 
be shortened ; that purely economic ends be not pursued to the sacri- 
fice of social and human values ; that heavy and exhausting work be 
restricted to less than eight hours per day, and that monotonous 
work be relieved by alternating forms of employment calling for 
initiative; that overtime be closely restricted, and that night work 
be substantially eliminated; that a weekly half holiday should be 
allowed and taken, and an annual vacation provided for; that the 
housing problem be solved to the end of relieving women of un- 
necessary drudgery, that their work may be pleasant and satisfac- 
tory and their leisure more happy and worthwhile ; that the domestic 
servant, especially, be relieved of the customary long and irregular 
hours, and of her usual unwholesome isolation; and that industrial 
women workers should be relieved of the double burden of domestic 
duties so often added to their industrial occupations. — [British adult- 
education committee's interim report, Mar. 14, 1918.] 

Education in the Army. 

The adult education committee, in their second interim report, rec- 
ommend that army education be provided, with the thought that the 
older as well as the younger men are to be reached. Education of a 
general character, nonvocational, should be most emphasized. Edu- 
cation for life and citizenship, modern languages and literature, his- 
tory and political science, industrial and social economics should 
be encouraged. Special care should be taken to train men for service 
in demobilization, and after cessation of hostilities particular care of 
educational facilities should be taken. There should be established 
an education branch of the war office. — [British adult-education com- 
mittee's report, July 3, 1918.] 
Economy Through Standardization. 

The ministry of reconstruction has published a report of its ad- 
visory council, wherein it recommends that, as England is at a dis- 
advantage in respect to its railroad Construction and equipment owing 
to the prevalence of much unnecessary diversity of type, a few stand- 
ard types should be substituted, with interchangeable parts provided 
for wherever economically possible. In prewar times the big railway 
companies themselves manufactured over 50 per cent of the locomo- 
tives used by all the railways, and thus " other countries have not 



UNITED KINGDOM. , 125 

suffered as much from this riot of individuality," because their equip- 
ment was purchased from private firms. — [British advisory council's 
report upon standardization of railway equipment, July 4, 1918.] 

Conference on Imperial Economic Policy. 

The imperial war conference and the imperial war cabinet have 
been holding important sessions in London. It appears that the Do- 
minions are very much interested in the strong development of close 
imperial cooperation in matters of economic policy. Various con- 
fidential resolutions have been adopted relating to postwar economic 
policy. — [Commerce Eeports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Aug. 24, 
1918,"p. 738.] 
British Firms Advised to Prepare for Future. 

Attention is called in the British Board of Trade Journal 
of August 1, to the expansion of export trade after the Avar; 
and it advises examination of methods of production and distribu- 
tion, the seizure of every opportunity of studying the rapidly chang- 
ing conditions in overseas markets which the war has brought about, 
and preparation for the renewal of exporting activity after the war. — 
[Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Aug. 29, 1918, p. 806.] 
Provisional Advisory Council for the Board of Trade. 

Pending the formation of an advisory council for the board of trade 
on a permanent basis, the president of the British Board of Trade has 
invited the chairmen (or other representatives) of various board of 
trade committees, including those on trade after the war, the presi- 
dents (or other representatives) of the Association of Chambers of 
Commerce and the Federation of British Industries, and representa- 
tives of labor interests to form a provisional council to advise the 
department of commerce and industry. The council also includes 
representatives of the foreign, colonial, and Indian offices, and the 
Dominion Governments have been invited to nominate members. 
The first meeting of the council was held at the board of trade 
October 9.— [British Board of Trade Journal, Oct. 10, 1918, p. 450.] 
Commerce and Industry After the War. 

In an address before the industrial reconstruction council in Octo- 
ber, 1918, on " Commerce and Industry after the War," the president 
of the board of trade dealt with the present position of British indus- 
try, after-the-war competition, production during the war, the need 
for large-scale production, the securing of supplies of raw materials, 
scientific research in its application to industry, cooperation between 
employers and employed, distribution of commodities, functions of 
the Government in the efforts to attain the largest possible production, 
the maintenance of " key industries," sea and land transportation, 
conservation of coal, cooperation with Dominions and Allies, and 
transitional control by the Government. — [The speech is published in 
full in the British Board of Trade Journal, Oct. 10, 1918, p. 452.] 



126 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. 

Financial Center of the World. 

The president of the London City and Midland Bank in an ad- 
dress on September 14, in speaking of after-the-war problems, dwelt 
chiefly upon the necessity of making every effort to insure that Lon- 
don remains the financial center of the world. — [Commerce Reports, 
U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Oct. 12, 1918, p. 161.] 

Coal-Saving Expedients. 

The advisory committee appointed by the coal controller to recom- 
mend ways of economizing in the domestic consumption of fuel, has 
prepared an interim report dealing with the adaptation of existing 
types of open fires, closed stoves, and cooking ranges, so as to increase 
their efficiency. — [Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Oct. 
14, 1918, p. 187.] 

Potash Supplies. 

According to expert opinion, the present outlook for the supply of 
potash in Great Britain is very hopeful. Day by day the country be- 
comes more independent of the German product.— [Commerce Re- 
ports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Oct. 15, 1918, p. 198.] 

Committee on Wages Awards. 

With a view to immediate action concerning the situation which 
may result at the end of the war in regard to the various wages 
awards which have been made during the war, the minister of recon- 
struction, with the concurrence of the departments affected, has ap- 
pointed a committee with the following terms of reference : 

1. Whether the compulsory operation of awards made under the 
munitions of war acts, of orders extending such awards, and of orders 
regulating wages made under those acts should be continued after 
the war. 

2. Whether the power to make such awards or orders should be 
continued after the war. 

3. The manner in which awards and orders, if made or continued, 
should be enforced after the war, and for what period. — [British 
Board of Trade Journal, Oct. 17, 1918, p. 488.] 

Organization for Industrial Reconstruction. 

It is recognized that the resettlement of the industries of the coun- 
try on a peace basis could not satisfactorily be left to unguided 
private effort; and the Government is, therefore, endeavoring to se- 
cure the early establishment of properly constituted bodies, repre- 
sentative of employers and employees, to which questions affecting 
the different industries may be referred. Three forms of such bodies 
are being organized : 

1. It is intended that in each industry which has reached a suffi- 
ciently high level of organization there shall be set up a joint stand- 



UNITED KINGDOM. 127 

ing or national industrial council, consisting of equal representation 
of associations of employers and of trade-unions, in accordance with 
the " Whitley Report/' the policy of which has been adopted by the 
Government. The ministry of labor undertakes the duty of assisting 
the industries to create such councils. A number of these bodies are 
already in existence and others are in process of formation. 

2. Where industries are not sufficiently organized, or for some 
reason are not in a position to form national councils, interim indus- 
trial reconstruction committees are formed. These committees are 
dealt with by the ministry of reconstruction and it is expected that 
they will eventually form national industrial councils. These com- 
mittees are allowed a good deal of latitude as to scope, the idea being 
that if employers and employees in any industry can be brought to- 
gether to discuss any questions, whatever, they will learn to know and 
trust one another. At present the ministry of reconstruction is ask- 
ing its committees primarily to deal with questions concerning de- 
mobilization and general commercial matters which will arise im- 
mediatel}' after the war. 

3. A third form of organization is the trade-board. These can be 
provided in unorganized areas on application of a national indus- 
trial council with the approval of the ministry of labor, or in the 
less organized industries where the ministry of labor deems it neces- 
sary. Such industries can, with the approval of the ministry of re- 
construction, form interim industrial committees, and later, with 
the approval of the ministry of labor, national industrial councils. — 
[Federation of British Industries Bulletin, Oct. 24, 1918, p. 446.] 

Elimination of Fuel Waste. 

Four hundred experts have been appointed by the coal controller 
to consult with and advise steam-power users how to eliminate 
waste. — [Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Oct. 26, 1918, 
p. 357.] 

Raw Materials. 

The potash industry is to be encouraged in order to make the 
country independent of Germany for their supply of this com- 
modity. Scientists have discovered formulas utilizing abundant raw 
materials in the production of potash. — [Wall Street Journal. New 
York, N. Y.. Oct. 31, 1918.] 

Imperial War Conference, Report of the. 

A full report has been issued of the proceedings of the imperial 
war conference (Cd. 9177) together with the various memoranda 
which were laid before it and upon which the discussions were based. 
Among the subjects which came under discussion were the non- 
ferrous metal industry, the control of raw materials, shipping, in- 



128 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. 

terimperial communications, imperial mineral resources, etc. — 
[British Board of Trade Journal, Oct. 31, 1918, p. 549.] . 

3uilding After the War. 

The committe on building industry after the war published a re- 
port in which it stated that there will undoubtedly be a general 
shortage of building material, and correspondingly high prices ; and 
that to meet this situation there should be appointed a central build- 
ing industry committee, with regional subcommittees, whose aim it 
shall be to increase supplies, aided by the early release of pivotal 
men from the army, favorable control of transportation rates and 
facilities, repression of nonessential uses, and the careful attention 
to the labor situation, to the end of securing maximum produc- 
tion. — [British committee on bldg. industry after the war report. 
Nov. 4, 1918.] 

Xey Industries. 

A key industry exposition was held in London, October 8, under 
the auspices of the Tariff Eeform League, the object of which is to 
present the facts to the public in order to create a sentiment in favor 
of maintaining and protecting these vital industries in the United 
Kingdom. — [Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Nov. 
7, 1918, p. 513.] 

Postwar Priority. 

The war cabinet recently set up a cabinet committee to deal with 
postwar priority questions. It consists of General Smuts, the pres- 
ident of the board of trade, the minister of labour, the minister of 
shipping, the minister of munitions, and the minister of reconstruc- 
tion. A standing council of postwar priority has been appointed 
to assist the cabinet committee, and is now at work. The council 
has had before it a survey of the existing stocks of the more impor- 
tant raw materials, and in giving urgent consideration to the question 
of releasing such materials from any form of control at the earliest 
possible moment. It is the intention of the council to consult the 
trade bodies concerned with regard to any matters affecting the in- 
dustries they represent, and, by taking them into their confidence, 
to make the utmost possible use of their organizations in any alloca- 
tion of materials which may be found necessary. — [British Board 
of Trade Journal, Nov. 7, 1918, p. 580.] 

Demobilization and Resettlement, Civil Department of. 

The British Government has created a' civil department of demobi- 
lization and resettlement responsible to the ministry of labor, under 
the controller general, to deal with all questions affecting reemploy- 
ment and resettlement of navy, army, and air forces, and of civil war- 
workers.— [Wall St. Journal, New York, N. Y., Nov. 9, 1918.] 



UNITED KINGDOM. 129 

Export Trade, Development of. 

The British Manufacturers' Corporation has been organized, hav- 
ing for its main object the development of British export trade after 
the war. — [Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Nov. 11. 
1919, p. 566.] 

Demobilization of Munitions Works and Liquidation of Contracts. 

The minister of munitions has appointed a demobilization board 
to deal with all measures affecting the demobilization of munitions 
works and liquidation of contracts apart from the questions assigned 
to the resettlement board under the minister of labour. — [British 
Board of Trade Journal, Nov. 14, 1918, p. 609.] 

Shipping, Control of. 

The shipping controller has announced that it is not contemplated 
that the control of merchant shipping should continue for any longer 
period than is necessary to provide for the extraordinary conditions 
arising out of the war. Privately-owned ships now under requisi- 
tion are to be released from control as soon as the tonnage available 
is considered clearly sufficient to provide for such essential shipping- 
services as may be necessary in the national interests. — [British 
Board of Trade Journal, Nov. 14, 1918, p. 609.] 

Demobilization of Munition Workers. 

The ministry of munitions has issued the following instructions 
to all factories and firms engaged on work for that ministry : 

1. There should, so far as possible, be no immediate general dis- 
charge of munition workers. 

2. All workers, however, who desire to withdraw from industry 
or to leave for any reason, and all workers who can be absorbed else- 
where, should be at once released. 

3. Production or contracts for guns and gun ammunition, machine 
guns, small arms, and small-arms ammunition; trench-warfare mor- 
tars, bombs, and stores, pyrotechnic stores, aerial bombs; all acces- 
sories of the above stores, aircraft and aero engines; and the manu- 
facture of explosives, should be reduced in the following way : 

a. All overtime should be immediately abolished. 

b. S} r stems of payment by results should be temporarily suspended, 
and the customary notice of the transfer from payment by results to 
time-work should be given. 

c. When a transfer to time-work has taken place, a reduction of 
the hourly week, should, wherever possible, be introduced. The re- 
duction of hours will also apply to men already on time-work, and, 
in their case, the customary procedure as to reduction of hours should 
be followed. 

115488—19 9 



130 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. 

d. Whenever reduced hours are worked on a time-work basis, the 
number of hours worked must not be less than one-half of the hours 
in the present normal working week of the establishment. Earnings 
will be made up by the employer, who will be reimbursed by the 
State in any case which for the full weekly number of hours on the 
short-time system fall below the following : 

Men of 18 and over, 30 shillings per week. Boys under 18, 15 
shillings per week. Women of 18 and over, 25 shillings per week. 
Girls under 18, 12 shillings and 6 pence per week. Where time is 
lost, the amounts payable will be sums proportionate to the number 
of hours actually worked. 

The adoption of half-time may cause unavoidable discharges, but 
every effort should be made to minimize unemployment, utilizing 
employees for a short period on laboring and clearing-up work. In 
allotting this work preference should be given to workpeople who 
are ordinarily dependent upon industrial employment. 

All persons discharged, or claiming release, can obtain free rail- 
way warrants for journeys from the place of employment to their 
homes, or to places where they have found new employment. — [Brit- 
ish Board of Trade Journal, Nov. 14, 1918, p. 626.] 
Unemployment Donation to Demobilized Civilian War Workers. 

To provide for the abnormal period that must immediately follow 
on the cessation of hostilities, the Government has adopted as a 
temporary measure the following general scheme of noncontributory 
unemployment donation, which has been laid before it by the min- 
ister of reconstruction in agreement with the minister of labor. 
The broad conditions of the scheme are that the donations shall re- 
main in force for a period of six months from a date to be an- 
nounced by the Government and that the benefit can be drawn for 
a maximum of 13 weeks during that period in cases where unemploy- 
ment can not be avoided. Under the temporary noncontributory 
scheme, which will remain in force pending the introduction of a 
general contributory scheme, demobilized civilian war workers will 
receive benefits on the following scale: 

a. To unemployed men over the age of 18 years, 24 shillings a 
week. To unemployed women over that age, 20 shillings a week. 

b. There will be an additional allowance in respect to the first 
dependent child under 15 years of age, 6 shillings for each additional 
dependent child under that age. 

c. There is a further provision for unemployed juveniles be- 
tween the ages of 15 and 18 of 12 shillings per week for boys and 10 
shillings for girls, conditional on their attending a course of in- 
struction approved by the board of education or other central de- 
partment concerned. 



UNITED KINGDOM. 131 

While the above is operating, the existing compulsory unemploy- 
ment insurance scheme will remain in suspense so far as benefits are 
concerned. — [British Board of Trade Journal, Nov. 14, 1918, p. 627.] 
Passport Regulations. 

The home office has announced that on and after November 23 all 
passengers leaving the United Kingdom for the United States must 
obtain a visa on their passports from the American consul in London. 
Passengers to France, or via France to Italy, Switzerland, or Greece 
must obtain a visa from the French bureau des passeports in Lon- 
don, or the French consul at Liverpool, Southampton, or Folk- 
stone. Passengers to certain other countries must obtain permits from 
the British permit office in London. — [British Board of Trade 
Journal, Nov. 14, 1918, p. 630.] 

Decimal Coinage. 

A royal commission has been appointed to consider the advisability 
of placing the currency and money account of the United Kingdom 
on a decimal basis. The Federation of British Industries is giving 
its hearty support to the attempts being made to introduce the deci- 
mal system of coinage. — [Federation of British Industries Bulletin. 
Nov. 21, 1918.] 

Labor Party's Reconstruction Program. 

The British Labor Part} 7 adopted in June, 1918, resolutions setting 
forth its views on reconstruction. The subjects covered include in- 
creased production and the maintenance of the standard of life ; pro- 
vision for soldiers, sailors, and civilian war workers, and restoration 
of trade-union conditions; unemployment; political reforms, includ- 
ing improvement of conditions as to education, housing, relief of the 
poor, health, temperance, agriculture, and rural life. Government 
ownership of railways and other means of communication and of 
mines is advocated, with greater control over industry. Revision 
of methods of national finance are urged, so as to place a greater 
share of the burden of taxation upon accumulated wealth. Sir 
Arthur Henderson, secretary of the British Labor Party, states that 
the four " pillars of the house " of the labor party's program are : 
a. The universal enforcement of the national minimum ; b. the demo- 
cratic control of industry; c. the revolution in national finance; and 
(/. the surplus wealth for the common good. — [Resolutions on Recon- 
struction of British Labor Party, 1918; Survey, New York, N. Y., 
Aug. 3, 1918; "The Aims of Labor," Sir Arthur Henderson, Janu- 
ary, 1918.] 

Standardization of Railway Plants. 

A report upon the standardization of railway equipment has heen 
made to the ministry of reconstruction by the advisory council: of the 



132 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. 

ministry. The report states that competition between the big rail- 
ways has resulted in an unnecessary multiplication of types and that 
in no other country has individuality been allowed so much free 
scope, with the result that British railways are severely handicapped 
and their operation not so economical as it might be. The committee 
recommends certain steps to be taken for carrying out standardiza- 
tion of railway plants as far as it is practicable to .do so. — [British 
Board of Trade Journal, Nov. 21, 1918, p. 641.] 

Shipping Policy of Government. 

In a statement to the House of Commons, the parliamentary sec- 
retary to the ministry of shipping said that the declared policy of the 
Government with regard to shipping is to restore the position that 
obtained. It, therefore, follows that the Government has contem- 
plated the sale of the Government ships to private owners, and a be- 
ginning of the sale has been made. In relation to every matter con- 
cerning shipbuilding, first-class priority will be given, whether it 
is for steel, for labor, for the supply of material, or for the supply 
of houses for workmen that are needed in connection with these ex- 
tensions. It is the desire of the shipping controller that private 
yards should in future be open to shipowners. — [British Board of 
Trade Journal, Nov. 21, 1918, p. 649.] 

Acquisition of Land for Public Purposes. 

Two reports of the committee on law and practice have been pub- 
lished by the ministry of reconstruction. The first report recommends 
the creation of a new " sanctioning authority," to pass promptly on all 
except local applications for power to acquire land compulsorily for 
public purposes. The second report states that the " lands clauses acts 
are out of date and should be repealed and replaced by a fresh code " ; 
that the owner should be paid the market value plus compensation for 
consequential injury, but without allowance for the compulsory acqui- 
sition, and without any increased value which might have arisen " by 
reason of the suitability of the land for a purpose to which it could 
only be applied under statutory powers," and no compensation for 
value arising from use of premises contrary to sanitary or other laws 
and regulations ; that where a particular improvement increases the 
value of neighboring land, the State or local authority should be en- 
titled to participate in such increased value; and that injurious af- 
fection should also be compensated. — [British law and practice com- 
mittee's reports, Jan. 9-Nov. 20, 1918.] 
Demobilization of Munitions Workers. 

The ministry of munitions has issued a circular letter pointing out 
the necessity of firms conferring immediately with the local employ- 
ment exchanges, with a view to facilitating the transfer of workers 
discharged under the scheme of demobilization to other work of na- 



UNITED KINGDOM. 133 

tional importance or their return to their homes or previous employ^- 
ment. In every case the local employment exchanges must be informed 
at least 14 days in advance of the numbers of workers expected to be' 
dispensed with. When the notices of discharge are served on the men 
and women there must be furnished to the employment exchange a 
list of their names, addresses, and previous occupations. When the 
discharge of a considerable number of workers is in contemplation 
the following order of discharge is suggested : 

1. Those who were not industrial workers prior to taking up muni- 
tions work and are willing to withdraw voluntarily. 

2. Workers who can readily be absorbed in their previous occupa- 
tions or in the staple industries of the place, where such industries 
exist and vacancies are available. 

3. Bad timekeepers. 

4. Workers who have not served a given length of time (to be agreed 
in each case) in the following order: 

a. Those originally brought in from other districts. 

b. Those workers who are making a specially heavy demand on 
transport service. 

c. Others. 

[British Board of Trade Journal, Nov. 21. 1918. p. 663.] 

Financial Facilities After the War. 

The committee on financial facilities has published a report present- 
ing a study of the financial machinery and its peace operations, show- 
ing the manner in which the gold standard has automatically regu- 
lated credit and international prices. The war-time substitution of 
currency note issues, not legally limited in amount, for gold and check 
circulation, permitted inflation of credit. Opposition is made to at- 
tempt to rebuild industry by means of further indiscriminate expan- 
sion of credit, which would endanger London as the world's financial 
center and also threaten ultimate disaster. Reconstitution of industry 
on sound financial basis is advised, calling for an effective gold stand- 
ard, a check on undue expansion of credit and incidental rise in prices, 
and steps to reduce to normal proportions the inflation of credit due 
to the war. The reconstruction will call for more long-term credit on 
capital goods with relatively less short-term trade credit. The banks 
will have to increase their paid-up capital and encourage long-period 
deposits in order to meet the demand for these long-time loans. Un- 
essential enterprises must be checked and speculation repressed. It 
is hoped that the British Trade Corporation may be of real value, in 
overseas trade especially. The committee looks with favor on some 
control over new capital issues, at least until State borrowing in con- 
nection with the war is completed, especially so inasmuch as much 
public work will have to be resumed, and the country's resources 



134 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. 

should be restricted to essential activities. They oppose State aid to 
banks and also to private enterprise, bringing as it does a degree of 
State control ; but perhaps excess-profit taxes might be retained for a 
time as a Government loan at interest, as a helpful addition to avail- 
able liquid resources. — [British committee on financial facilities re- 
port, Nov. 21, 1918.] 

Demobilization of Army. 

" Demobilizers," made up for the most part of officials and army 
men, will assist in the actual process of demobilization. The order 
will be, 1, " Pivotal men," those upon whom a great deal of industry 
and employment in a pivotal trade and works depend ; 2, " Slip men," 
those for whom definite work is actually available and for whom 
places are being kept open ; and, 3, men engaged in the various trades 
and professions in accordance with a priority list based on a quali- 
fication of the trades and professions in their order of national im- 
portance. — [Federation of British Industries Bulletin, Nov. 21, 
1918.] 
Demobilization of Civil War Workers. 

The policy of the Government with regard to demobilization of 
civil war workers appears to be to carry on munition work at a re- 
duced rate for the present, with a view to gradually putting an end 
to surplus war production and finding the displaced workmen suf- 
ficient employment in peace trades. Every encouragement will be 
given to firms who are able to turn over to peace work, and sugges- 
tions as to peace industries which can easily be taken up are invited. 
Employment exchanges will advise firms as to order of discharge, 
etc., and free railway warrants to their homes or new employments 
will be issued through the labor exchanges for all persons discharged 
or claiming release. The Government has adopted a temporary non- 
contributory unemployment allowance under which unemployed men, 
women, and children will be granted so much per week for a maxi- 
mum of 13 weeks. The benefits to boys and girls are conditional 
on their attending a course of instruction approved by the board of 
education. — [Federation of British Industries Bulletin, Nov. 21, 
1918.] 
Disposition of Government-Owned Materials, Plants, and Machinery. 

The ministry of munitions will do all in its power to maintain 
stability in price, and will therefore not attempt to dump huge 
stocks of surplus materials on the market, but they will be fed out 
gradually. Contractors in possession of plants and machinery owned 
by the. Government who wish to utilize the same for civil work may 
do so upon serving proper notice and paying a reasonable hire. Or- 
ders and instructions will be issued shortly under which restrictions, 
which have hitherto existed prohibiting manufacturers from under- 



UNITED KINGDOM. 135 

taking certain classes of orders and from using certain materials 
otherwise than for specified purposes, will be relaxed as far as possi- 
ble.— [Federation of British Industries Bulletin, Nov. 21, 1918.] 
Internal Transport System, Recommendations Concerning. 

The select committee of the House of Commons, which was ap- 
pointed on August 6, has issued a second report (Cd. 136) which con- 
tains the following conclusions: 

1. That the organization of the transport agencies of the country, 
and particularly the railways, can not be allowed to return to its pre- 
war position. 

2. That the temporary .arrangements for the control of railways 
and canals during the war would not be satisfactory as a permanent 
settlement. 

3. That unification of the railway system is desirable under suit- 
able safeguards, whether the ownership be in public or private hands. 

Any one of the following courses would be, consistent with the con- 
clusions stated above, but without further evidence the committee is 
not in a position to recommend which of these methods should be 
adopted in the first instance : 

1. Further amalgamation of railway companies as a step towards 
unification. 

2. Unification accompanied by private ownership and commercial 
management. 

3. Unification by means of nationalization followed by — 

a. Establishment of a Government department to manage the 
railways. 

h. Constitution of a board of management not directly represented 
in Parliament. 

c. Leasing of the system to one or more commercial companies. 
[British Board of Trade Journal, Nov. 28, 1918, p. 677.] i 

Wages and Arbitration. 

The ministry of labor has called attention to the " wages (tempo- 
rary regulation) act" which recently passed through Parliament. 
The main purpose of the new act is to secure the maintenance for a 
period of six months of the minimum wages generally applicable at 
the date of the signing of the armistice in each trade or branch of a 
trade or district to each class of workmen, except in so far as these 
minimum wages are varied by arbitration or by agreement with the 
approval of the minister of labor. The act provides for the estab- 
lishment of a court of arbitration which will deal with differences 
referred to it by the ministry of labor, in cases where the parties 
have been Tillable to settle as to what the prescribed rate should be. 
The minister of labor has established a wages and arbitration depart- 
ment to deal with questions relating to wages, etc. — [British Board 
of Trade Journal. Nov. 28, 1918, p. 696.] 



136 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. 

Disabled Men Discharged and the Workmen's Compensation Act. 

Iii view of the fear expressed that disabled men are more liable to 
meet with accident in the course of employment or to make the results 
of an accident more serious than they would be normally, the Govern- 
ment has decided in principle that any increased charge incurred 
for compensation in respect of disabled men shall be borne by the 
State, and has adopted a scheme which has been worked out by a 
home office committee. The scheme proposes that an arrangement 
should be entered into by the Government with the insurance com- 
panies by which the companies would undertake to insure disabled 
men at the general rates for the occupation, and not to increase their 
general rates in the future as the result of the employment of dis- 
abled men, the Government under certain conditions to reimburse the 
loss, if any, which the companies may thereby incur. In the case 
of large firms who carry their own risk the Government proposes 
to enter into special arrangements, if so desired, to reimburse the 
firms for any increase over the normal charge which they may incur 
in respect to the disabled men whom they employ. The details of the 
scheme are being completed and will be announced later. — [British 
Board of Trade Journal, Nov. 28, 1918, p. 696.] 

Woolen and Worsted Industry, Needs of. 

The army council has appointed a wool council : 

1. To advise as to the needs of the woolen and worsted industry in 
regard to raw materials during the transition period. 

2. To prepare plans which will facilitate the turnover from war 
to peace conditions. 

3. To act as an advisory body to the war office on matters outside 
the terms of reference of the board of control of the woolen and 
worsted industry. 

4. To advise and assist Government departments and any recog- 
nized organization connected with the industry, on such matters as 
may be referred to them. 

The council is composed of representatives of trade and labor 
organizations, the war office, board of trade, ministry of reconstruc- 
tion, and ministry of labor. The first meeting of the council was 
held on November 21, 1918. — [British Board of Trade Journal, Nov. 
28, 1918, p. 678.] 

Transport of Peace Material. 

In June, 1918, the minister of reconstruction established an inter- 
departmental committee to deal with the difficulties of storage and 
transport to be met at the close of the war. This storage and transit 
committee has been given executive power to enable it to allocate 
storage accommodations between departments and to adjust counter- 
claims should they arise. One principle governing the evacuation of 



UNITED KINGDOM. 137 

all storage places occupied by Government departments is that they 
shall be evacuated one by one in the order of precedence laid down 
by the dock, wharfage, and other authorities in reports which they 
have presented to the committee. — [British Board of Trade Journal,. 
Nov. 28, 1918, p. 692.] 

Munitions Plants and Machinery for Civil Work. 

The minister of munitions has announced, under date of Novem- 
ber 21, 1918, that contractors in possession of plants and machinery 
owned by the ministry of munitions, who wish to use such plants and 
machinery for civil work, may do so on condition that they notify 
the superintendent engineer in their area within one week from the 
date on which the plants and machinery were first used for purposes 
other than those for which they were provided. The use of such 
plants and machinery will impose no obligation on the contractor to 
purchase, or on the ministry to sell, although should a sale not be 
effected to the contractor he will be required to pay a reasonable hir& 
and to release the machinery when requested to do so. — [British 
Board of Trade Journal, Nov. 28, 1918, p. 698.] 

Demobilization and Resettlement. 

When general demobilization of men serving with the forces 
begins, priority of release will be given to officers and men who have 
definite employment awaiting them. 

Instructions to employers having such positions open and the forms 
to be used by them have been prepared. 

Officers and men in the forces will be provided with a civil em- 
ployment form on which they may state whether an employer has- 
promised them work, whether they wish their names to be sub- 
mitted to a particular employer, or giving other information as to 
their intentions. These forms when filled up will be transmitted, 
through the proper channels, to the local district director of the 
appointments department or to the employment exchange. Men for 
whom it is thus ascertained that vacancies are awaiting will b& 
termed "slipmen"; and subject to naval and military considera- 
tions, they will receive priority of release when general demobiliza- 
tion begins. 

Arrangements are being made for a strictly limited number of 
men to be released in advance of general demobilization, namely, 
" pivotal men " ; that is, men whose early release will be of immedi- 
ate national value, for purposes of reconstruction, or to facilitate the 
absorption of the returning soldiers and of unemployed labor. A 
selection has been made by the ministry of labor of the industries, 
businesses, and professions which are entitled to a share in this 
limited pool of men. 



138 FOREIGN" READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. 

An elaborate scheme of demobilization and reemployment, in 
which this principle is applied, has been outlined and is being used 
by the British Government. — [British Board of Trade Journal, Nov. 
28, 1918, p. 693; Dec. 19, 1918, p. 795.] 
Postwar Financial Policy. 

The first interim report of a committee appointed in January, 
1918, by the British treasury and the ministry of reconstruction to 
consider various problems, which will arise in connection with cur- 
rency and foreign exchanges during the period of reconstruction, has 
been made. It reviews the present financial situation and makes 
certain recommendations. — [Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Com- 
merce, Dec. 2, 1918, p. 833.] 
Nonferrous Metal Industry. 

Announcement has been made of the formation of the British 
Metal Corporation, capitalized at 5,000,000 pounds ($24,330,000). 
The board of directors contains a prominent official of the depart- 
ment of munitions and three members of the board of trade com- 
mittee, who reported on the position of the nonferrous metals trade 
after the war, the outcome of which was the passage by Parliament 
of the nonferrous metals act. The corporation will provide ma^ 
chinery for carrying on a form of control over the nonferrous metal 
industry. — [Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Dec. 3, 
1918, p. 849.] 
War Risk Cargo Insurance. 

Notice has been given that on and after December 9, 1918, the 
granting of fresh insurances on cargo against the war risks by the 
war risk insurance office will be discontinued except in special 
cases. The underwriting office will remain open for the closing of 
provisional insurance. — [British Board of Trade Journal, Dec. 5, 
1918, p. 703.] 

House Building', State Help for. 

The minister of reconstruction appointed a committee to consider 
how to encourage private enterprises in building houses for the 
working people. This committee has presented an interim report 
dealing with public utility societies. 

A public utility society is one registered under the industrial and 
provident societies act, which limits its interest and dividend to 5 per 
cent. The committee recommended that loans of 80 per cent of the 
value of any housing scheme carried out by such a society should be 
made by the State at the lowest rate at which it can lend without 
loss. Repayment may be spread over 50 years, and advances made 
during building. The majority of the committee expressed the 
opinion that if the State wants houses, it should bear the whole loss 
incurred by a society in building at once; otherwise, there will be 



UNITED KINGDOM. 139 

temptation to wait until building is cheaper, and houses urgently 
needed will not be forthcoming. — [British Board of Trade Journal, 
Dec. 5, 1918, p. 710.] 
Demobilization; Pivotal Men Released for Work in Ports. 

The central advisory (port-labor) committee has been formed by 
the minister of labor for the purpose of advising the minister on 
general questions relating to labor in the ports, coordinating the 
work of the local port-labor committees, and allocating the pivotal 
men to be released from the army for work in the ports to the differ- 
ent ports claiming service. — [British Board of Trade Journal, Dec. 
5, 1918, p. 728.] 
Notice of Discharge to Munition Workers. 

Munition workers, in accordance with the provisions of the mu- 
nitions of war act, 1917, are, with certain specified exceptions, en- 
titled to a week's notice of discharge, or a week's wages in lieu of 
notice. — [British Board of Trade Journal, Dec. 5, 1918, p. 728.] 

Demobilized Men, New Reserve for. 

In order to make provision for the recall of men released from the 
colors in the event of an emergency immobilization becoming neces- 
sary, the army council has decided to form a new class of army re- 
serve to be designated class Z, which will be kept open until the de- 
posit of the ratification of the Treaty of Peace. 

All men released from service with the colors will be passed to this 
class, except men to be discharged as physically unfit for further 
service or on medical grounds and certain others. Class Z army 
reservists will receive no pay from army funds, they will not wear 
uniforms nor be subject to military discipline, and their placing in 
this class will not interfere with their resettlement in civil life nor 
be a bar to their emigration or repatriation oversea. — [British Board 
of Trade Journal, Dec. 5, 1918, p. 728.] 
Apprenticeship, State-Aided. 

Provision is being made, through the employment department o'f 
the ministry of labor, for the technical and commercial training of 
discharged officers and men of like standing. The ministry has set 
up two committees to advise the department: One, on training and 
education, technical and commercial; and the other on the resettle- 
ment of ex-officers. A scheme of State assistance has been devised for 
apprentices whose apprenticeship has been interrupted by war- 
service. — [Report of the U. S. commercial attache, London, Dec. 6, 
1918.] 

Housing Needs. 

It is estimated that 100,000 new houses are needed in London alone. 
The London County council has 100 acres on which houses are to be 
built at once, which can accommodate 17,000 persons. It is proposed 



140 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. 

to spend 3,500,000 pounds ($17,032,750) on this program. Other coun- 
cils in Greater London have made application to erect houses on 60,000 
acres. The local Government board has a scheme for erecting 300,000 
houses, and various municipal authorities have also plans under way,, 
but the procuring of the material required is a great problem. The 
British industries at present can not furnish all these materials and 
the Government will have to import considerable quantities. A 
fairly reliable estimate is that 500,000 houses are needed in the United 
Kingdom at once, to cost $1,000,000,000.- — [Reports of U. S. com- 
mercial attache, London, England, Dec. 6, 14, 1918, Commerce Re- 
ports,. U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Dec. 31, 1918, p. 1219; Jan. 21, 
1919, p. 324.] 

Dye Industry, State Aid to. 

A white paper (Cd. 9194) has been presented to Parliament con- 
taining a memorandum by the board of trade on the scheme for 
State assistance to the dye industry. This memorandum deals with 
the allocation and administration of the funds provided by Parlia- 
ment for the development of the British dye industry by means of 
financial assistance to companies and firms in aid of developments,, 
extensions, and research. — [Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Com- 
merce, Dec. 9, 1918, p. 933.] 

Xoans for Local Public Works. 

The local Government board or other appropriate department is y 
in conjunction with the treasury, prepared to consider applications 
from local authorities for permission to raise loans in order to enable 
them to put into operation schemes of public utility, such as housing, 
water supply, sewerage, hospitals, gas and electricity, and mainten- 
ance and construction of roads, which are of urgent importance. — 
[British Board of Trade Journal, Dec. 12, 1918, p. 742.] 

Workmen from Overseas, Return and Resettlement of. 

The minister of labor has announced that in addition to free con- 
veyance home for British workmen from overseas after working con- 
tinuously on Government contracts, a sum of 5 pounds will be paid 
toward the expenses of resettlement; and between 2 and 5 pounds 
will be paid in respect to the expenses during the sea passage, varying 
according to the distance traveled. — [British Board of Trade Journal,. 
Dec. 12, 1918, p. 760.] 

Agricultural Reconstruction, Organization for. 

A temporary establishment will be formed by the amalgamation 
of various branches within the board of agriculture and fisheries,, 
which will be charged with all reconstruction measures for the 
better organization of the commercial side of agriculture, with the 
farmers' supplies, rural transport, and cognate matters. It will 
also supervise the provision of colleges and other buildings on small 



UNITED KINGDOM. 141 

holdings, and farm colonies required for -the resettlement of service 
men on the land.— [British Board of Trade Journal, Dec. 12, 1918, 
p. 761.] 

Proposed Improvement of Governmental Machinery. 

The ministry of reconstruction has published a report of its com- 
mittee on machinery of Government, in which it advises the extension 
of research meant to " organize the knowledge required for the appli- 
cation of science to industry." Proposals are offered for the elimi- 
nation of overlapping and consequent confusion in the work of the 
departments. They propose that better parliamentary control be 
secured through improvement and clarification of estimates and 
accounts. The departments are reported upon individually ; internal 
alterations are suggested; and improvement of interdepartmental 
relations recommended, as, for example, acquaintance by the treasury 
with the work of other departments " desirable to dissipate the tradi- 
tion that all departments have a natural disposition to extravagance, 
and that the treasury is irreconcilably opposed to all increases of 
expenditure." It is suggested that the appointment of a minister 
of justice might facilitate legal reform. — [Machinery of British 
Government committee's report, Dec. 14, 1918.] 

Industrial Readjustment. 

The Federation of British Industries, at its annual meeting, de- 
clared itself as being anxious for maximum Government support 
and minimum control. It considered that too much continued Gov- 
ernment supervision was a " strangle-holcl on industry." — [Christian 
Science Monitor, Boston, Mass., Dec. 15, 1918.] 

Labor Program. 

The labor party's plan for reconstruction includes abolition of 
secret diplomacy, withdrawal of troops from Russia, freedom for 
Ireland and India, and withdrawal of Government control. — [Sun, 
New York, N. Y., Dec. 16, 1918.] 

Shipping Policy. 

Ships are the prime factor in British reconstruction. The recon- 
struction ministry and private owners urge building of many ships 
to keep up with America and other competitors. Quality and low 
cost of production are the chief aim. — [Sun, New York, N. Y., Dec. 
16, 1918.] 

British Wool Council. 

As a result of trade conferences called by the war office and held 
in London in October, a British wool council has been formed in 
place of the board of control to prepare plans for the relaxation and 
ultimate abolition of control, and to facilitate the turn-over from 
war to peace conditions. The council is authorized to deal with any 



142 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. 

other matters which may be referred to it by the war office, the board 
of trade, tlje ministry of reconstruction, the board of control, or any 
recognized trade or labor association connected with the industry. 
The council consists of 41 trade members, 23 representing employers 
and 18 employees. It is understood that the Government depart- 
ments will have 12 representatives in the council, but they will not 
have any right to vote. — [Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Com- 
merce, Dec. 18, 1918, p. 1058.] 

Continuance of Control of Wool Trade. 

The director of wool-textile production recently called attention 
to the need for continued control of the wool trade. The particular 
form of Government control which may be necessary is a matter to be 
considered by the reconstruction committee to be set up by the wool 
council, and it is intended by the war office that very free discussion 
shall take place before the form of machinery to be set up is 
decided upon. — [Commerce Reports, IT. S. Dept. of Commerce, Dec. 

18, 1918, p. 1057.] 

New Method of Handling Irish Flax. 

As a result of what is termed " a revolution in flax handling," the 
growing of flax on an extensive scale in Ireland now seems assured. 
Recently invented mechanical devices have so lessened the amount of 
manual labor required that this big problem of the industry appears 
to be solved. — [Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Dec. 

19, 1918, p. 1079.] 

Price of Cereals Guaranteed for 1919. 

The board of agriculture and fisheries has given notice to farmers 
that the prices to be fixed for the 1919 crop of the cereals at present 
controlled will in no case be less than the prices at present in opera- 
tion for the 1918 crop. These cereals are rye, wheat, oats, and bar- 
ley. The notice applies to England and Wales only. — [British Board 
of Trade Journal, Dec. 19, 1918, p. 797.] 
Methods for Handling Unsupported and Unemployed. 

A report published by the local Government committee states that 
County and Borough councils should provide maintenance and educa- 
tion for all unsupported children ; and care and support for the sick T 
infirm, and mentally defective. Unemployed -able-bodied adults 
should be handled by a committee on unemployment and training, to 
act in conjunction with the Government employment exchange. 
When no employment is available to one seeking employment, he- 
should be offered training for suitable employment which is avail- 
able. If he refuses both employment and training, and such refusal 
results in neglect to care for himself or his family ; and if such refusals, 
are repeated and persisted in, he should be sent to a detention colony 



UNITED KINGDOM. 14 3 

on order from a magistrate, subject to an appeal. One or two such 
colonies are estimated to be sufficient for the whole country if the 
work of the employment exchanges and the unemployment and 
training committee is efficiently performed. — [Local British Govern- 
ment committee's report on " Transfer of Functions of Poor Law 
Authorities in England and Wales," Dec. 19, 1917.] 

Land for ex-Soldiers. 

The ministry of reconstruction has published a report of its ad- 
visory council, wherein it recommends that County councils acquire 
land bj r purchase or lease to equip soldiers desiring small holdings; 
that means' for housebuilding and reclamation be made available; 
and that men be trained in agriculture. The question is raised as to 
the number of soldiers desiring such places; and as to the worth of 
such a place to a man, unless he were a tradesman of some sort who 
could supplement with earnings the produce of his small landhold- 
ing. Desirability of village life is dwelt upon, and suggestions are 
made for the provision of a village hall in each village. It is pro- 
posed that the State pay ex-service men enough to make their incomes 
equal to prevailing earnings of farm laborers. A minority report of 
the council casts doubt on the availability of land in England for 
such small holdings. — [British advisory council's report, sec. IV, 
Dec. 20, 1918.] 

Cost of Living of the Working People. 

A committee appointed by the chancellor of the exchequer on Mar. 
21, 1918, to inquire into and report upon the actual increase since 
June, 1914, in the cost of living of the working people and any 
counter-balancing factors, apart from increase of wages, which may 
have arisen under war conditions, has issued a report in which it is 
estimated that the average rise in family expenditures of the working 
people between July, 1914, and June, 1918, was 74 per cent, the in- 
crease of expenditures of skilled workers being 67 per cent and of 
unskilled workers 81 per cent. Counter-balancing factors, other than 
increased wages, were abundance of employment, rise of workers 
from unskilled to skilled groups, and a large addition of women to 
industry who have supplemented family incomes. — [Commerce Re- 
ports, U.S. Dept. of Commerce, Dec. 26, 1918, p. 1153.] 

Reconstruction. 

The Sinn Feiners of Ireland elected to the House of Commons will 
not take their seats. They will forfeit the 150 pounds which they had 
to post as an election fee, and which is returnable only when a member 
takes his oath and his seat. In the meantime, the Government in 
Ireland is concerned mostly with the problem of reconstruction of 
industry, and plans are being prepared for the expenditure of money 



144 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. 

on industrial and agricultural improvements. This movement may be 
affected adversely by the absence of Ireland's members from Parlia- 
ment, if the Sinn Feiners carry out their threat. — [Star-Eagle, New- 
ark, N. J., Dec. 27, 1918.] 
Readjustment of Industry to Peace Conditions. 

The parliamentary secretary of the ministry of munitions predicts 
that British manufacturers will turn over to peace production more 
readily than they did to a war footing. — [Report of U. S. com- 
mercial attache, London, Dec. 6, 1918, Commerce Reports, U. S. 
Dept. of Commerce, Dec. 31, 1918, p. 1217.] 

Disposal of War Materials. 

Motor-car manufacturers, as well as manufacturers in other lines, 
are bringing pressure to bear on the Government to so regulate the 
sale of war stock as not to injure their business during the period of 
readjustment. — [Report of U. S. commercial attache, London, Dec. 
6, 1918, Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Dec. 31, 1918, 
p. 1219.] 
Operation of Railroads by the Government. 

The minister of munitions has announced that the British Govern- 
ment expects to take over the operation of the railways, as improved 
transport facilities are needed to enable a rapid revival of industry ; 
and there is evidently no way in which private interests can properly 
handle this problem in the United Kingdom, at least under present 
conditions. — [Report of U. S. commercial attache, London, Dec. 6, 
1918, Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Dec. 31, 1918, 
p. 1219.] 
Work of the Ministry of Reconstruction in 1918. 

In its report to Parliament for the period ended December 31, 1918, 
the ministry of reconstruction, which was formed in August, 1917, 
" to consider and ach 7 ise upon the problems which may arise out of the 
present war, and may have to be dealt with upon its termination; 
and for the purposes aforesaid, to institute and conduct such en- 
quiries, prepare such schemes, and make such recommendations as 
it thinks fit," tells of the work undertaken by its various branches 
as follows: 

1. The transitional economics branch dealt, generally, with the 
economic questions of supply and control created by the shortage 
of tonnage, raw materials, and capital arising out of the war; and 
has kept in close touch with the ministry of shipping, in view of the 
essential connection of shipping with the problem of raw materials. 

2. The commerce and production branch dealt with questions of 
production and improved commercial organization to secure increased 
production ; questions of internal transport, power, and storage ; and 



"UNITED KINGDOM. 145 

a considerable proportion of the time of the officials of this branch 
has been occupied in dealing with personal and written applications 
from commercial men for advice on schemes for developing their 
business after the war. 

3. The labor and industrial branch concerned itself with all ques- 
tions regarding labor and industrial organization during the transi- 
tion period from war to peace, its first problem being that of the 
demobilization of the army, the reinstatement of members of the 
forces in civil life, and the resettlement of civilian war-workers. 

4. The rural development branch dealt with those reconstruc- 
tion questions specifically affecting the rural areas, such as the 
development of its resources in land and agriculture, village recon- 
struction and rural industries, the development of transport facili- 
ties by a comprehensive system of narrow-gauge railways in rural 
areas, land for sailors' and soldiers' settlements, means for attracting 
returning sailors and soldiers to the land, and the economic position 
of women in agriculture. 

5. The social development branch dealt generally with questions 
affecting the social (as distinct from the purely industrial) condi- 
tions of life in the United Kingdom during the transitional period, 
and its main business has been that associated with the proposals for 
the establishment of a ministry of health. — [British ministry of re- 
construction report for period ending Dec. 31, 1918.] 

Import and Export Restrictions, Relaxation of. 

There has been a certain relaxation of import and export restric- 
tions, and it is probable that further relaxations will steadily take 
place to meet the needs of British industry. It may be expected, 
however, that there will not be any general abandonment of import 
restrictions until British industry is ready to meet the competition 
of foreign merchandise. — [Keport of U. S. commercial attache, Lon- 
don, Dec. 6, 1918, Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, 
Dec. 31, 1918, p. 1219.] 
Raw Materials, Relaxation of Control of. 

Government control of raw materials is being considerably re- 
laxed to enable factories to shift over quickly to normal production, 
but regulation is still being employed to guide industry into the 
most fruitful channels. The minister of reconstruction has given 
out the following list of classes of work to which materials and pro- 
ducing capacity set free from war work should, as far as possible, 
be devoted in the near future : 

Maintenance, repair, and replacement of existing machinery and 
plants in the United Kingdom. 

Maintenance, repair, and renewals for railways, tramways, canals, 
roads, harbors, and docks in the United Kingdom. 
115488—19 10 



146 FOKEIGN KEADJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. 

Shipbuilding, and the maintenance and repair of merchant ships 
and fishing vessels in the United Kingdom. 

Manufacture of agricultural, milling, food-producing, mining, and 
textile machinery, machine tools, building materials and equipment 
used in the public utility services in the United Kingdom. 

Manufacture of approved orders placed by the Government of the 
United Kingdom, the Dominions, or the Allies. 

Manufacture of goods for export, subject to such Government reg- 
ulations of export as ma}^ from time to time be found necessary. — 
[Report of U. S. commercial attache, London, Dec. 6, 1918, Com- 
merce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Dec. 31, 1918, p. 1218.] 

Boys and Girls in Industry. 

The ministry of reconstruction has caused an extensive inquiry to 
be made to ascertain the condition of juvenile employment during the 
war and probable conditions after the war. Fully 3,000 reports have 
been returned ; and a report based on this material, and recommend- 
ing how this juvenile labor problem should be dealt with, is being 
issued by the ministry. 

After describing the very great demand there had been for juve- 
nile labor, the disproportionately high wages which this labor has 
earned, and the long hours frequently worked, the report described 
the effects of these war conditions upon the young people themselves 
as mischievous and demoralizing. It goes on to urge that, though 
these mischievous effects wrought upon the rising generation of the 
last four years can not be effaced, they need not be intensified. A 
scheme is recommended, the general principle of which, briefly, is to 
insure that all boys and girls thrown out of work on the return of 
peace should be maintained in conditions which would prevent them 
from being demoralized by unemployment; to improve their 
physique, their character, and their industrial qualifications; and to 
prepare them to return to industrj^ as soon as there are suitable 
openings. 

It is suggested that centers for unemployed boys and girls be estab- 
lished in all towns with a population of more than 20,000, managed 
by committees drawn from the local education authorities, the juve- 
nile employment committee, trade-unions, employers' associations, 
and other organizations concerned with the welfare of young people. 
They should be financed from national, not local sources. — [British 
Board of Trade Journal, Dec. 5, 1918. Commerce Reports, U. S. 
Dept. of Commerce, Dec. 31, 1918, p. 1221.] 

Joint-Industrial Councils. 

Considerable progress is being made in the establishment of joint- 
industrial councils. One of their main functions is the consideration 
of wages, hours, and working conditions. Demobilization and reset- 



UNITED KINGDOM. 147 

tlement, the training of disabled soldiers and sailors, and the position 
of apprentices returning from military service are also receiving at- 
tention.— [Monthly Labor Review, U. S. Dept. of Labor, December,. 
1918, pp. 34-36.] 
The Industrial League. 

The Industrial League began in a very small way by the occasional 
meeting about the dinner table of a few employers and labor leaders 
for the purpose of frank discussion and mutual enlightenment. It 
exists for the sole purpose of creating a better relationship between 
employer and employed. Its functions are purely educational, and it 
is prepared to place any information in its possession at the disposal 
of its members. Those eligible for membership are employers' organ- 
izations" and individual employers of labor; firms, trade-unions, 
and labor organizations and their officials ; employed persons of either 
sex: and any other individuals who approve of the objects of the 
league. — [Monthly Labor Review, U. S. Dept. of Labor, December, 
1918, pp. 40, 41.] 
Education. 

The education act, 1918, effects a complete change of principle and 
method in the national system of education. Its main proposals may 
be briefly summarized as follows: 

1. Preparation by local educational authorities of schemes for all 
forms of education within their area. 

2. Raising the age limit for compulsory full-time attendance at a 
school to be 14 years of age. 

3. Establishment of continuation schools for compulsory part-time 
education up to 18 years of age. 

4. Restriction of the employment of children. 

5. Development of the work of public elementary schools. 

6. Promotion of the health and physical training of children and 
young persons. 

7. Extension of the work of local educational authorities in regard 
to medical inspection and medical treatment of children. 

8. Provision of nursery schools for children between 2 and under 
5 years of age. 

[Monthly Labor Review, U. S. Dept. of Labor, December, 1918, 
p. 42.] 

Housing Program. 

Representatives of the Federation of British Industries, of the 
National Alliance of Employers and Employed, and of labor gen- 
erally, met in London recently to consider the scheme outlined in the 
recent reports of the housing committee relating to the formation of 
public utility societies as a partial means of solution of the housing 
problem. The scheme aims to use the federation organization to 



148 FOREIGN" READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. 

bring together all sections of the communities interested in the pro- 
vision of houses, and also to bring together members of the building 
and building supply trades, and to secure the cooperation and sup- 
port of organized labor. The Government has agreed to provide 75 
per cent of the capital required for the public utility societies, and 
the societies will be expected to find the other 25 per cent. The 
Government loan can run 50 years. — [Monthly Labor Eeview, U. S. 
Dept. of Labor, December, 1918, pp. 331, 332.] 
Urban Housing Recommendations. 

The women's housing subcommittee of the ministry of reconstruc- 
tion have handed in an interim report on urban housing, advising 
that any houses iioav built should be planned with reference to a 
higher standard of living than that which prevailed when many of 
the housing schemes were carried through. They recommend more 
space, both by having a wider frontage and by planning for an addi- 
tional room. Each cottage should have a minimum of six rooms. 
Numerous suggestions are given as to the interior arrangement of the 
houses, and the report is emphatic in its recommendation of the neces- 
sity for a bathroom and a hot-water supply. A central hot-water 
system for a whole street or block of houses is advocated, and the de- 
velopment of cheap electric power on a large scale. — [Monthly Labor 
Eeview, U. S. Dept. of Labor, December, 1918, pp. 335-337.] 
Sale of Securities Authorized. 

Notification is given by the treasury permitting the sale abroad of 
foreign, colonial, and Indian securities other than those which have 
been the subject of treasury regulation under the defense of the realm 
act. The proceeds of such sales, however, must be remitted to the 
country and retained there. — [Federation of British Industries Bul- 
letin, Jan. 2, 1919, p. 2.] 
Release of Coal Miners. 

The controller of coal mines announced that coal miners are being 
demobilized under special arrangements made between the various 
services and the coal mine department, and colliery proprietors need 
take no action for the return of their former employees, except such 
action as the controller from time to time may ask them to take. — 
[Federation of British Industries Bulletin, Jan. 2, 1919, p. 2.] 
Financing Exports. 

The minister of blockade announces that a notice is being sent to 
bankers relieving them of formalities required before financing ex- 
ports from this country to neutral European countries. All restric- 
tions and returns rendered necessary by the war are being reviewed 
by the finance section of the ministry of blockade with a view to 
further simplification. — [Federation of British Industries Bulletin, 
Jan. 2, 1919, p. 2.] 



UNITED KINGDOM. 149 

Proposals for Reforming Government Departments. 

The committee on machinery of government of the ministry of 
reconstruction has issued a report (Cd. 9230) containing proposals 
for reforming the Government departments. The report is divided 
into two parts: The first, covering the functions of the cabinet, the 
formulation of policy, the allocation of functions between the depart- 
ments, departmental organization, and parliamentary control; the 
second part dealing in turn with each of 10 groups into which the 
business of the various departments should be distributed. These 
groups, within which would fall all classes of business of the Gov- 
ernment, are as follows: 1. Finance; 2 and 3, national defense and 
external affairs; 4, research and information; 5, production (includ- 
ing agricultural, forestry, and fisheries), transport, and commerce; 6, 
emplojmient; 7, supplies; 8, education; 9, health; 10, justice. — Fed- 
eration of British Industries Bulletin, Jan. 2, 1919, p. 29.] 

Civil Aerial Transport. 

In May, 1917, the British Government appointed a committee to 
report with regard to: The steps that should be taken with a view 
to the development and regulation after the war of aviation for civil 
and commercial purposes, from domestic, imperial, and interna- 
tional standpoints; the extent to which it will be possible to utilize 
for these purposes, the trained personnel and the aircraft which the 
conclusion of peace may leave surplus to the requirements of the 
naval and military air services. The various chapters of the com- 
mittee's report cover the following subjects : 

1. Municipal control and legislation. 

2. Technical and practical questions as to the possibilities of per- 
formance of aircraft, and as to requirements of aerial services. 

3. Business questions relating to the position of the aircraft manu- 
facturing industry after the war, the possibilities of the establishment 
of aerial transport services, and the steps which would be necessary 
for the maintenance of this industry and for the development of 
these services. 

4. Questions of labor arising in the aircraft manufacturing indus- 
try and in aerial transport services. 

5. Problems of scientific research and the special education of 
expert designers, engineers, and pilots. 

An interesting detail is a memorandum on the establishment of 
an air-mail service, one machine being run each way daily between 
London and Glasgow, via NeAvcastle and Edinburgh. — [U. S. consul 
general. London, Dec. 10, 1918, Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of 
Commerce, Jan. 4, 1919, p. 42.] 
Release of Sole Leather for Civilian Purposes. 

The army council has ordered that English sole leather, except 
certain classes, be released for civilian purposes. A limit is placed 



150 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. 

upon the quantity that ma}^ be purchased by any individual. — [Cable- 
gram from U. S. consul general, London, Jan. 4, 1919, Commerce 
Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Jan. 9, 1919, p. 113.] 

Rural Development. 

The ministry of reconstruction is embarking upon a scheme of 
rural development, by the construction of a large number of light 
railways to connect the country districts with the main railways. 
The cost will be borne in part by the county authorities and in part 
by the Government. Upon completion the lines will be leased to 
the operating companies under adequate guarantees. — [Star, Wash- 
ington, D. C, Jan. 9, 1919.] 

Increased Shipping, Space Available for Cargo. 

The ministry of shipping announced increased tonnage available 
for bringing imports to Great Britain by 10,000,000 tons of goods a 
year. The amount of space available for commercial cargo in North 
America is doubled ; and instead of cargo competing for space, space 
is now competing for cargo. — [Cablegram from U. S. consul general, 
London, Jan. 6, 1919, Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, 
Jan. 9, 1919, p. 113.] 
Purchase of Lumber in Canada. 

Great Britain has negotiated for 1,000,000,000 square feet of Cana- 
dian lumber of all grades valued at approximately $40,000,000. It is 
understood that this will be allocated among the several timber 
Provinces. — [Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Jan. 15, 
1919, p. 237.] 
Resumption of Steamship Service with Canada. 

North Atlantic ocean, traffic between Canadian ports and Liffey, 
Ireland, by direct steamers has been resumed by the Ulster Steam- 
ship Company " Head Line." — [Report of U. S. vice consul at 
Dublin, Ireland, Dec. 13, 1918, Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of 
Commerce, Jan. 15, 1919, p. 283.] 
The Dye Industry. 

The board of trade has appointed a trade and licensing com- 
mittee, the functions of which will be to determine the colors and 
intermediates which shall be licensed for imports into the United 
Kingdom after the conclusion of peace, and in what quantities ; and 
?to advise the commissioner for dyes as to color and intermediates the 
manufacture of which should be specially encouraged, and the order 
of their importance. — [British Board of Trade Journal, Jan. 16, 
1919, p. 66.] 
demobilization of Royal Air Force in France. 

The general scheme of demobilization for the Royal Air Force in 
France is the same fundamentally as that of the army. The actual 



UNITED KINGDOM. 151 

demobilization is being carried out by the headquarters of the Eoyal 
Air Force; but after demobilization, the dispersal of personnel is 
through army channels. Each officer or enlisted man on demobili- 
zation will be sent to the military dispersal station in the United 
Kingdom nearest to his own home. The priority scheme laid down 
by the war office is being observed in the Koyal Air Force. " Sur- 
plus Squadrons " will fly their machines to England to aerodromes 
specified by the air ministry. — [British Board of Trade Journal, Jan. 
16, 1919, p. 89.] 
Transportation Regulations. 

The Government has announced its intention to propose to Parlia- 
ment the establishment of a ministry of ways and communications. 
The prime minister has also announced in a statement to the national 
union of railway men on January 10, that the Government will in- 
troduce in the new Parliament, which meets on February 4, pro- 
posals for dealing with the whole of the railways transport services, 
and the electrical industry, both for transport and power purposes. — 
[Federation of British Industries Bulletin, Jan. 16, 1919, p. 22.] 

Demobilization, Statistics of. 

Since the date of the armistice and up to noon January 13, 8,390 
officers, and 463,993 men of other ranks, have been demobilized or 
otherwise discharged from the service. In the same period 2,130 
women have been demobilized. Men are being released from the 
fighting forces at the rate of 20,000 a day, and this figure is expected 
to increase to 50,000 shortly. The labor exchanges are now handling 
17.000 applications daily. — [Federation of British Industries Bul- 
letin. Jan. 16, 1919, p. 19.] 
Shipping Difficulties. 

The shipping controller has issued a statement expressing the de- 
sire that the tonnage released from war service which is now being 
reallocated should be so distributed as to meet all essential require- 
ments. He has, therefore, requested shippers, whether exporters or 
importers, to furnish him with full particulars of any difficulties 
which they experience due to port congestion or other causes affect- 
ing the free movement of goods overseas. — [Federation of British 
Industries Bulletin, Jan. 16, 1919, p. 20.] 
Importation of Gold and Silver Coin. 

An order in council of January 14 modified the previous order 
prohibiting the importation of foreign coins, and authorized for the 
present the importation of gold and silver coins. — [Commerce Re- 
ports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Jan. 18, 1919, p. 273.] 
War-Savings Organization to be Retained. 

The British Government has decided to retain the present organi- 
zation for the sale of national war bonds and war-savings certificates 



152 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. 

as a permanent part of the national machinery. The organization 
now comprises nearly 2,000 local committees, 50,000 war-savings 
associations, and some 15,000 official agencies, through which war- 
savings certificates and war-savings stamps can be purchased. It is 
almost entirely administered by volunteer workers, who number 
about 250,000.— [IT. S. consul at Dublin, Ireland, Dec. 4, 1919, Com- 
merce Keports, U. S. Dept, of Commerce, Jan. 20, 1919, p. 317.] 
War-Service Men in New Parliament. 

Of the 703 members elected in the new House of Commons, 250 
served in the war, while the whole British membership owes its elec- 
tion to war services of one sort or another. All ranks of the army 
are represented, from general to sergeant. Not only the army and 
navy, but the industries of the war will have their representatives 
among the legislators. No other British Parliament in the long 
history of this institution has contained so many men from whom 
the country might reasonably expect so much vigor and originality 
and so keen a sense of the realities of the day. — [Star, Washington, 
D. C, Jan. 22, 1919.] 

Clothing for Demobilized Soldiers. 

An alteration has been made in the arrangements for supplying 
suits for demobilized soldiers. It was at first intended to include 
these in the standard-cloth scheme, so that the soldiers should be 
able to go into any store and on presentation of coupons obtain a 
standard suit at preferential prices, a proposal which was acceptable 
to the traders concerned. Under the new arrangement, says the 
Yorkshire Post, each demobilized soldier will receive a suit or about 
$13 in cash. If he decides to have a suit, he will choose his pattern 
of cloth, his measurements will be taken, and as soon as possible 
afterwards a suit will be forwarded to his address. He will be 
entitled to keep his uniform, but the overcoat will have to be re- 
turned, and a payment of $5 will be made to him in exchange for 
it. Men who do not desire to keep their uniforms on discharge will 
be able to sell them at stores to be set up. In the event of a large 
quantity of suits being returned, they will be redyed and used for 
clothing needy people in Allied countries. If too far worn to be 
used in this way, they will be turned into shoddy. — [Report of U. S. 
consul at Leeds, Dec. 6, 1918; Commerce Eeports, U. S. Dept. of 
Commerce, Jan. 22, 1919, p. 342.] 
Diversion of Material for Civilian Clothing. 

In addition to the diversion of the material for making suits for 
demobilized soldiers it is proposed to divert some part of the mate- 
rial intended for military purposes to the making of standard cloth 
for civilian wear, both for men and for women. — {Report of U. S. 
consul at Leeds, Dec. 6, 1918; Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of 
Commerce, Jan. 22, 1919, p. 342.] 



UNITED KINGDOM. 15$ 

Financial Risk. 

The minister of reconstruction has published a report of the com-, 
mittee on " Financial risks attached to the holding of trade stocks."' 
This committee was invited to inquire and report as to any measures^ 
which could be adopted with a view to securing that manufacturers 
and others should be financially in a position to hold stocks after 
the war; and that reasonable safeguards should be established to 
prevent serious financial losses, as a result of possible depression fol- 
lowing on a period of great inflation in respect to stocks of materials 
required for industry. The committee expressed the view that five 
main causes are material to bring about a drop in prices: The dis- 
appearance of war-risk insurance, etc. ; reduction in freights clue to 
increased availability of shipping; fall of wages compared with 
rates prevailing during the war due to increased availability of 
labor on demobilization; additional production of staple articles 
now standing at " scarcity prices " ; reduction of the note issue to 
restore an effective gold standard, or, in other words, " deflation " of 
credit. Three lines of possible relief have been suggested by traders :. 
Lower rates of taxation during the war; the Government to bear a 
share (out of taxes already received) in any losses after the war; a 
redefinition of " profits " now chargeable to taxation by way of per- 
mission to create reserves before arriving at the sum, chargeable to, 
taxation as profits, or by the adoption, when making up periodical 
accounts, of different principles of valuing stocks from those gen- 
erally obtaining in industry hitherto, or admitted bj^ the taxing 
authorities. The committee preface their general recommendations 
by saying they regard as most desirable that the position of industry 
should be specially strengthened, when on the threshold of a period 
in which the markets have to be reorganized or created and in which 
industrial conditions are in the highest degree uncertain. The most 
hopeful line of approach to a solution of this problem lies, they 
think, in a reduction of the present rates of excess-profits duty. The 
committee recognized that they have been unable to formulate any 
scheme of relief for those who pay no excess-profits duty. — [British 
Board of Trade Journal, Jan. 23, 1919, p. 98.] 

Reconstruction. 

The main committee of the engineering trades division, of the new 
industries committee of the ministry of reconstruction, makes certain 
general observations regarding conditions under which new indus- 
tries should be set up if they are to develop successfully, touching 
upon such questions as finance for industry, export trade, foreign 
competition, improved methods necessar} r if British engineers are to 
maintain a leading position, industrial and scientific education, and 
labor conditions. — [Journal of Commerce, New York, N. Y., Jan.. 
23, 1919.] 



154 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. 

New Engineering Industries. 

The ministry of reconstruction has published a report of the engi- 
neering trades division, which was appointed to compile a list 
of articles, suitable for manufacture by those with engineering 
trade experience or with plants, which were either not made in 
the United Kingdom before the war but were imported or were 
made in the United Kingdom in insufficient quantity and for which 
there is likely to be a considerable demand. Branch committees 
were appointed, each of which gave detail consideration to one of the 
following groups of articles: Agricultural machinery, hollow-ware 
and sheet-metal machinery, scientific apparatus, textile machinery; 
light section-rolling and extension wire-drawing machinery, print- 
ing machinery, printers' general machinery, paper-making machin- 
ery, leather-making machinery, aircraft, and motor industry. Each 
committee consisted of expert members drawn from industries ap- 
propriate to its group, but was presided over by a member of the 
main committee.— [British Board of Trade Journal, Jan. 23, 1919, 
p. 100.] 

Aircraft and Bombardment Insurance. 

No new insurance will be granted under the Government aircraft 
bombardment insurance scheme after January 31, 1919. Aircraft 
policies which are still in force cover the risk of damage by aircraft 
of the Royal Air Force, and aircraft bombardment policies cover in 
addition the risk of damage by the explosion of mines which drift 
upon the coast. Eisks hitherto insurable by the Government policies 
are now left to the open market. — [British Board of Trade Journal, 
Jan. 23, 1919, p. 95.] 
Employment of Disabled Soldiers. 

The minister of labor, after meeting the representatives of the 
national federation of discharged and demobilized sailors and sol- 
diers, conveyed the following decisions on points raised by them: 
With regard to Government factories, the disabled soldier employed 
in the same will, other things being equal, be discharged after the 
dilutee and the ex-service man, and will have the last priority of 
discharge in his class of skill. The minister of labor will make an 
appeal to all factories, other than Government factories, asking them 
to adopt in regard to this matter the same procedure as the Govern- 
ment. He will obtain the necessary powers to take over from the 
ministry of pensions the responsibility for training ex-service men 
who require training ; the ministry of pensions retaining, however, the 
powers necessary to enable them to deal with the training men, while 
undergoing medical treatment — that is, training in establishments of 
the institute type. The minister of labor has promised to schedule 
a list of occupations which are suitable for disabled men; and an 



UNITED KINGDOM. 155 

appeal Mill be sent out by the prime minister urging employers to 
employ disabled men in such occupations when a post becomes va- 
cant, and also to substitute disabled men for temporary war workers 
at present filling such posts. With regard to other occupations the 
-employers will be appealed to to make every effort to employ disabled 
men wherever possible. The ministry of pensions will obtain powers 
to proceed with the setting up of a number of factories solely for 
the employment of certain classes of disabled men, who on account of 
special disability may be found to be unable to engage in ordinary 
industrial occupations. — [British Board of Trade Journal, Jan. 23, 
1919, p. 122.] 

Casual Labor. 

The minister of labor has appointed a committee, to be known as 
the port of London casual labor committee, consisting of representa- 
tives of employers and working people in the London dock trade; 
to inquire and report what action, if any, should be taken to regulate 
the work and reduce, if necessary, the number of casual laborers in 
the London docks; and also, in view of demobilization of the army 
and the cessation of munition work, to report on the best methods of 
preventing numbers of workmen who are in difficulties as regards 
finding employment in their own trade from resorting to the docks 
and wharves and thus making the conditions of employment there 
more irregular than before the war. — [British Board of Trade Jour- 
nal, Jan. 23, 1919, p. 122.] 

Resumption of Shipping 1 Service. 

Arrangements have been made through the shipping controller to 
restore as quickly as possible all the prewar liners' services. Shippers 
and merchants are therefore advised to get into touch with the ship- 
ping companies which previously served the ports abroad to or from 
which they desire to ship cargo. He draws attention to the announce- 
ment of January 15, as to the early release of general tonnage from 
requisition. — [British Board of Trade Journal, Jan. 23, 1919, p. 122.] 

Civil Aviation. 

The secretary of the air ministry has announced that the civil 
aerial transport committee is proceeding to carry into effect legisla- 
tion and international agreements required to enable civil aviation 
to be recommenced as soon as possible. To provide for the need of 
civil aviation, as well as for the needs of the Royal Air Force, reor- 
ganization of the air ministry is necessary, and that reorganization is 
being carried on. — [British Board of Trade Journal, Jan. 23, 1919, 
p. 121.] 
Handling Demobilization. 

In accordance with the principles laid down in the Government's 
scheme for demobilization of the forces, namely, that the men demo- 



156 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. 

bilized first shall include those who have been ascertained to have 
definite employment awaiting them, and that the highest priority 
shall be given to pivotal men, the Government announced on Decem- 
ber 12, 1918, a plan to afford employers an opportunity of securing 
direct communication with their former employees to whom they 
can now offer employment. Such a definite offer of employment, in 
writing, if produced to his commanding officer by the officer or man 
concerned, will be accepted as evidence that employment is awaiting 
him, and the man will be registered by his commanding officer to be 
demobilized. 

It is not necessary for offers of employment to be sent to officers or 
men for whose release as pivotal men application has been made, 
and officers and men who have notified their commanding officers that 
their civil occupation is that of a student or teacher. Officers and 
men who in civil life practice a profession or are their own employers 
can secure their registration for demobilization most rapidly by 
filling in their own civil-employment forms. Special arrangements 
are being made with port labor committees about men employed 
before the war at docks, wharves, and harbors. 

Soldiers will be discharged at their domiciles rather than at the 
headquarters of their regiments. Each soldier, after accounting for 
his equipment, is granted a 28-day furlough, with pay, rations, and 
family allowances; unemployment insurance payable for 20 weeks 
within one year from date of discharge; a railway warrant for the 
journey home ; and any gratuities that may be due him. 

At present there are three classes of men being demobilized — coal 
miners, certain shipyard workers, and " pivotal men." The latter 
group includes those whose return will be of the greatest immediate 
value in creating employment for others and in reconstructing indi- 
vidual business and professional life. — [Eeport of clerk to the Ameri- 
can consulate, London, Dec. 18, 1918, Commerce Eeports, U. S. Dept.. 
of Commerce, Jan. 24, 1918, p. 372.] 

Flour Allowance. 

British food controller has authorized householders to purchase- 
and keep in the house up to one sack of flour per household, notwith- 
standing existing orders. — [Eeport of U. S. consul general, London,.' 
Commerce Eeports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Jan. 28, 1919, p. 417.] 
Reduced Shipping Rates. 

British shipping interests announced January 27 a cut of more 
than 66f per cent in all rates to Europe. The new rates do not 
apply to Government cargo. Five big shipping interests are repre- 
sented in the combination which arranged the cut in. rates.— [Sun,. 
New York, N. Y., Jan. 28, 1919, p. 11.] 



UNITED KINGDOM. 157 

Increased Activity in the Cotton Industry. 

The British cotton board has permitted an increase of 10 per cent 
in the amount of machinery to run in the cotton trade. It is reported 
that these concessions are granted on account of the fact that at the 
present time more cotton is available, and that the men are being 
released from the army. — [Report of the U. S. consul, Manchester, 
Jan. 23, 1919; Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Jan. 
28, 1919, p. 417.] 
Demobilization. 

At a special meeting of the cabinet, recommendation was made that 
a standing army of 1,000,000 be maintained for the purpose of prop- 
erly garrisoning the various English colonies and for the army of 
occupation. This means that three out of every four men will be 
demobilized and the fourth retained " to finish the job." The men 
thus retained until the reorganization of the new standing peace 
army will have their pay largely increased and a new scheme of leave 
will be introduced. — [Sun, New York, N. Y., Jan. 29, 1919.] 
War Memorials. 

Construction of war memorials in England is to be taken up at 
once on a large scale. A veterans' club, containing 1,000 bedrooms, 
and a convalescent home for discharged men, costing approximately 
$5,000,000, are being planned by the veterans' association. A hotel 
in London, to be known as the " Overseas Memorial," for the accom- 
modation of overseas men and women, is also being planned. — [U. S. 
Employment Service Bulletin, Jan. 31, 1919, p. 8.] 
National Alliance of Employers and Employed. 

On December 7, 1916, 40 representatives of industry and trade- 
unionism met in London and formed the national alliance of em- 
ployers and employed. This is a nonsectarian, nonpolitical organi- 
zation, without industrial bias, having two avowed objects. These 
are to make provisions beforehand to secure the reinstatement on de- 
mobilization of sailors and soldiers and of the vast body of workers 
in war industries; and, as far as possible, to prevent industrial dis- 
putes in the future. It believes that this can be done by representa- 
tives of employers and employed on a basis of equal responsibility 
and equal administrative authority, with Government cooperation 
but without Government control. Several meetings followed the in- 
augural meeting, and in March, 1918, 12 important trade-unions and 
over 90 leading employers of labor officially affiliated with this 
movement. Among the many things the alliance advocates are im- 
proved Avorking conditions, satisfactory housing accommodations, 
maximum output and Avages commensurate with output, adherence 
to trade agreements, and employment during time of slack trade. — 
[Monthly Labor Review. U. S. Dept. of Labor, January, 1919, pp. 
67-70.] 



158 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. 

Pood Control. 

Orders issued by the British food controller, which became effective- 
November 18, 1918, are designed to secure on local food control com- 
mittees a more direct representation of labor, women, and the cooper- 
ative movement. The food controller has already established the 
maximum price that may be paid to a producer for milk sold at 
wholesale during the winter months. This price, however, is subject to 
modification by local food committees. The food controller has also- 
constituted a body called the butter and cheese import committee,, 
who are engaged in distributing butter to the retailers; and has 
taken control of the whole potato crop of England and Wales. The 
price to be paid for this crop will be determined by a commission 
appointed jointly by the food controller and the president of the 
board of agriculture. — [Monthly Labor Review, U. S. Dept. of 
Labor, January, 1919, pp. 115-118.] 

National Endowment of Motherhood. 

In September, 1918, a committee formed " to discuss the establish- 
ment of a national scheme of family endowment " issued a report rec- 
ommending a scheme of State endowment for mothers and small 
children. It would pay $3.04 a week for the mother and $1.22 for 
the first child, with $0.85 for the second and each subsequent child- 
The payment to the mother should begin eight weeks before her 
first confinement and continue as long as she has a child under 5 
years of age. Payments should be made direct to the mother and re- 
sponsibility for administering them should be fixed on her. It is- 
calculated that the cost of the scheme, based on the birth rate of 
1911, would require an annual expenditure of approximately $700,- 
776,000. The committee believes that the effect on the birth rate* 
would be good. — [Monthly Labor Review. U. S. Dept. of Labor,. 
January, 1919, pp. 282-285.] 

Conservation of Boy Power. 

In the past decade there has been a complete change in the attitude- 
of the Government towards young workers helping to maintain 
England's place in the industrial world. About 130 juvenile- advisory 
committees had been created by the beginning of 1917. These com- 
mittees, which are controlled by the board of education, had be^ 
come very efficient in securing particulars as to the educational and 
physical qualifications of school boys who seek work; in gatherings 
accurate data on the opportunities' for boys in the various trades, 
conditions of work, qualifications required, and the chances for ad- 
vancement. Thus, the boy and the job have easily been brought 
together. A large and efficient corps of welfare officers inspect the- 
factories, report on conditions, and make recommendations to the em- 



UNITED KINGDOM. 159 

ployers. The boys are encouraged in starting athletic clubs and 
cadet corps. — [Monthly Labor Review, U. S. Dept. of Labor, Janu- 
ary, 1919, pp. 129-135.] 

Industrial Fatigue. 

A research board has been appointed by the department of scien- 
tific and industrial research and the medical research committee 
jointly, to consider and investigate the relations of hours of labor and 
all other conditions of employment, including methods of work, to the 
production of fatigue, having regard both to industrial efficiency and 
to the preservation of health among the workers. The duty of the 
board will be to initiate, organize, and promote all research investi- 
gations in different industries with a view to finding the most favor- 
able hours of labor, spells of work, rest pauses, and other conditions 
applicable to the various processes, according to the nature of the 
work and its demands on the worker. For these investigations the 
board looks forward to receiving the help of employers and workmen 
in the industries which are studied, and in certain cases representa- 
tives of both will be invited to serve as temporary members of the 
board. — [British Labor Gazette, January, 1919, p. 36.] 

Soldier-Settlement Plans. 

Under an act designated as 6 and 7 George V. c. 38, soldier settle- 
ments are provided for. Provisions of the act will be administered 
by the board of agriculture and fisheries. An appropriation of 
$10,000,000 has been asked for. The board is authorized to purchase 
60,000 acres, which will be leased to the soldiers. They will be given 
training on a demonstration farm at fair Avages. — ["Work and Homes 
for our Fighting Men," Reclamation Service, U. S. Dept. of the 
Interior, 1919, pp. 20, 21.] 

Industrial Training for Crippled Soldiers. 

The patients at the pavilion military hospital are soldiers who 
have undergone the amputation of one or more limbs. They come 
to this hospital as soon as they are able to leave the base hospital, 
but while they are still in need of medical treatment. By the joint 
operation of workshops and hospitals the men receive the curative ef- 
fects of industrial work at the same time they are being given medical 
treatment. The workshop classes afford instruction in such trade 
subjects as motor mechanics, metal fitting and turning, electrical en- 
gineering, commercial subjects, motion-picture machine operating, 
cabinetmaking turnery and joinery, boot and shoe making and re- 
pairing, tailoring, mechanical drafting, carving and letter cutting, 
stained-glass work, and designing. — [U. S. Employment Service 
Bulletin, Feb. 7, 1919, p. 3.] 



160 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. 

Demobilization Provisions. 

The new British demobilization plan provides for a 28-day fur- 
lough for each man, with pay, rations, family allowances, unemploy- 
ment insurance payable for 20 weeks within one year from date of 
discharge, and free transportation home. While the press has been 
insistent in its demand of rapid demobilization, the Government, 
with a discreet foresight of serious labor conditions which would be 
occasioned by the wholesale demobilization of the army, has turned 
a deaf ear to the insistent demands. Only three classes of men are 
being demobilized — coal miners, certain shipyard men, and those 
men who it has been ascertained have definite employment awaiting 
them. Next in line will be men for whom employers have executed 
sworn statements that they were in their employment on August 4, 
1914, and offering them employment. If the man desires to accept the 
employment offered he will hand the statement to his commanding 
officer, who will then register him for demobilization. — [U. S. Em- 
ployment Service Bulletin, Feb. 7, 1919, p. 2.] 

Removal of Restrictions on Looms and Spindles. 

The cotton control board has withdrawn all restrictions on the run- 
ning of looms and spindles, and all manufacturers are at liberty to 
run machinery as desired. Orders fixing maximum prices of raw 
cotton remain in force. — [Cablegram from U. S. consul general, 
London, Feb. 4, 1919, Commerce Reports, Feb. 8, 1919, p. 617.] 

Hew Legislation Suggested. 

At the opening of the new Parliament and the House of Com- 
mons, Lloyd George presented a report of the program of the Peace 
Conference and discussion of means to meet satisfactorily the pres- 
ent industrial unrest. King George, in his speech from the throne, 
appealed to Parliament to expedite legislation designed to improve 
conditions among the working classes, stating that if industrial unrest 
continues the consequences will be grave to trade and industry, and 
that prompt laws should be enacted to take care of this. — [Tribune, 
New York, N. Y., Feb. 12, 1919.] 

British Sea-Training School. 

At a conference of the board of trade and the ministry of shipping 
last autumn it was decided to institute a new system of training 
youths for sea service to meet the present existing shortage of men in* 
the mercantile marine. The school was inaugurated on September 
23, 1918, at Gravesend ; and training in knotting, splicing, boat han- 
dling, rowing, swimming, heaving, and loading, knowledge of the 
compass, steering, signaling, cleaning brass and bright work, scrub- 
bing, preparing and serving the mess, coal trimming, and other prac- 
tical duties on board ship was at once commenced. As the result of 
its first three months' work the school shipped 126 youths on a variety 



UNITED KINGDOM. 161 

of vessels, ranging from the finest mail steamers to colliers. There 
were 180 lads at the school at the beginning of the year. — [British 
Board of Trade Journal, Jan. 9, 1919; Commerce Reports, U. S. 
Dept. of Commerce, Feb. 14, 1919, p. 722.] 

Relaxation of Food Regulations. 

It has been intimated officially in Great Britain that after the 
present ration coupon books have been used others will not be issued, 
but the control of price and quantity through the wholesale and re- 
tail trades will continue to be exercised by the minister of food. — 
[Report of U. S. consul general, London, Jan. 1, 1919, Commerce 
Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Feb. 14, 1919, p. 761.] 
Readjustment Program. 

It is plain from the King's speech opening Parliament and from 
Lloyd George's address in the House of Commons that the British 
Government does not intend to let the country drift into chaos during 
the period of demobilization into peace conditions. The disturbed 
conditions of labor, the numerous social problems created from the 
discharge of soldiers and sailors from the service, and the difficulties 
involved in providing for war workers in various fields are to be 
anticipated, and their cause is not to be put off until distress or dis- 
order compels action. A ministry to conserve the public health, a 
ministry of ways and communications to improve the transportation 
facilities, measures to insure better housing, and for encouraging 
agriculture are details of the program. — [Sun, New York, N. Y., Feb. 
13, 1919.] 

England's ministry of reconstruction, in working out a general 
scheme, is making not only an accurate, scientific, and an exact 
grasp of the problem in its practical aspects, but is also creating an 
ideal of reconstruction. This spirit is national and governmental. 
It is establishing a new system, a new ideal, a new plan for industry, 
for labor, and in some lines at least for Government. The problem in 
England begins with shipping, and then raw materials. The Gov- 
ernment has decided not to ration raw materials to individual indus- 
tries; but to industries in a group which, in turn, through representa- 
tive councils made up from both employers and trade-unionists, will 
apportion among themselves. Roads will be rebuilt, neglected rail- 
roads improved, and the canal system extended to take care of the 
transportation problem. " Increase the national output," is the chief 
ideal of the new order, with the idea that debts can not be paid or the 
condition of workers improved unless the new efficiency of production 
is held as the first consideration. What is known as the Whitley 
committee on industrial reconstruction is giving great aid in this 
work, b}' the establishment in the highly organized industries of joint 
115488—19 11 



162 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. 

councils of employers and trade-unionists. The whole industrial 
fabric is being closely investigated ; and hours of labor, wages, regula- 
tion of earnings, health, sanitation, safety, accidents, insurance, night- 
work, overtime, holidays, dangerous trades, industrial control, and 
child labor are under the scrutiny of the Government. In the ideals 
of reconstruction comes a new rural life, the use of land for public 
rather than private interests, the reclamation of waste land and par- 
celing it to soldiers and sailors. Health, housing, and sanitation are 
receiving especial attention. — [C. H. Claudy, in Scientific American, 
New York, N. Y., Feb. 15, 1919.] 

Aerial Transportation. 

Official control will be exercised over commercial flying. The 
aerial navigation acts of 1911 and 1913 will continue in force. They 
provide for the notification of all aircraft crossing the coast line 
and all aircraft from abroad landing in the United Kingdom ; specify 
a large number of areas over which flying is prohibited ; and illegalize 
crossing the coasts at all save a few points. The new aerial bill will 
compel the registration of all pilots and passengers on every journey 
made outside the limits of an aerodrome, but the air ministry will 
delegate many important duties to aeronautical bodies and manu- 
facturers. It is considered that the safety of the public will be 
insured by the responsibility of the aviation companies, the check 
secured by insurance, and the heavy loss of money and reputation 
entailed by accidents. By April 1, it is anticipated that a number 
of concerns will be in operation, enabling the general public to en- 
joy flights at quite moderate fares. — [Daily Telegraph, London, Feb. 
25, 1919.] 
Reconstruction in Ireland. 

The chief secretary for Ireland, in receiving a deputation from 
Irish municipalities, dealt with reconstruction. He said that the 
Government had given an interim grant of $1,250,000 to provide for 
reconstruction work for demobilized soldiers and war-workers, but 
that the scheme was merely provisional. He assured the deputa- 
tion that any national scheme of reconstruction would be applied 
to Ireland.— [Evening Journal, New York, N. Y., Feb. 26, 1919.] 

Railway Control. 

On February 26, 1919, a bill was introduced in the House of 
Commons to establish a ministry of ways and communications. The 
new ministry would take over control of railways, tramways, canals, 
waterways, roads, and power. It would maintain the war-time con- 
trol over railways and might make such changes as it thought neces- 
sary with the sanction of the House. — [Post, Washington, D. C.,Feb. 
27, 1919.] 



UNITED KINGDOM. 163 

Ministry of Health. 

The King, in his speech at the opening of Parliament, and mem- 
bers of the Government have promised the speedy introduction of 
a bill to create a ministry of health. At present there are in Great 
Britain 18 Government departments and 3,300 local bodies engaged 
in the improvement of the public health. The main purpose of 
the bill is to coordinate all these activities under one head. The 
scope of the new department includes all measures for the prevention 
and cure of disease, the treatment of physical and mental defects, the 
collection and preparation of information and statistics, and the 
training of persons engaged in health services. Its responsibilities 
will range from administration of health insurance to medical in- 
spection of schools, clinical treatment of children and young persons, 
also the care of the health of disabled soldiers after they have left 
the service, and administration of the lunacy and mental deficiency 
acts.— [The Survey, New York, N. Y., Mar. 1, 1919. p. 807.] 
Industrial Training. 

The Government has decided to set up a special department of the 
ministry to deal entirely with questions of industrial training. The 
minister of labor has appointed the former director of the munitions 
training section of the labor supply department of the ministry of 
munitions, controller of the new department. This department will 
not only administer various schemes for the vocational training of 
discharged soldiers and sailors, of civil-war workers of either sex, 
and of women who are being discharged from the various auxiliary 
corps, but will, in due course, take over from the ministry of pensions 
the training of disabled men, with the exception of those who require 
medical supervision or training of a curative nature. Further, the 
new department will lay down the general lines upon which the 
training of serving soldiers and of men in hospitals will be carried 
on. Representatives of the trade-unions and employers will be con- 
sulted in regard to the proposed systems of training, so as to receive 
their advice and cooperation in the work of the department. Ar- 
rangements are also being made to insure the interest of local authori- 
ties in all training work. — [British Board of Trade Journal, Feb. 13, 
1919, p. 227.] 

Preference to Skilled Men. 

The minister of labor announces that priority of emplojmient 
should be given to fully skilled men over " dilutees," i.e., workers who 
have during the war been introduced to perform a class of work upon 
which, before the war, their introduction Avould have been contrary 
to the rule, practice, or custom obtaining in the trade or establish- 
ment concerned ; that if a skilled man and dilutee are employed in 



164 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. 

the same department on the same class of work and one must be dis- 
charged, the dilutee should go; and that if a skilled man is unem- 
ployed (whether as a result of discharge from a factory or as a result 
of demobilization) and presents himself for employment at a factory 
where dilutees are employed in the trade in which the applicant is 
skilled, he is entitled to claim engagement and should not be refused 
employment at his trade on the ground that there are no vacancies 
and that his engagement would involve the discharge of a dilutee. — 
[British Board of Trade Journal, Feb. 13, 1919, p. 227.] 
Housing for London. 

The minister of reconstruction has organized a house-building 
scheme for London, and it is anticipated that building work will be 
commenced almost immediately and be developed as fast as the local 
schemes are approved. The Government scheme will be adminis- 
tered by a chief commissioner in London and eight district commis- 
sioners of housing, all of whom are to be men with wide knowledge 
and experience of housing. A manual will shortly be issued which 
will embody plans of several types of houses of the latest designs. 
Practically all the essential fittings are being standardized, including 
doors, windows, kitchen ranges, baths, bolts, locks, etc., and arrange- 
ments are being made with the ministry of munitions to place orders 
for these standardized fittings, and where practicable existing muni- 
tion factories and works will be utilized for the production of fittings 
with a view to employing as many munition workers as possible. A 
village of model houses will be erected in London. Each house will 
be a complete model for the guidance of local authorities through- 
out the country, as regards both architectural style and internal 
arrangements. — [Commerce Keports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Mar. 
7, 1919, p. 1071.] 
Disposal of Surplus Government Property. 

A surplus Government-property disposal board, under which will 
be 17 sections to deal with the different classes of property, has been 
set up by the minister of munitions. At the head of each section will 
be a " controller," who, in carrying out the duties intrusted to him, 
will have the assistance of an honorary advisory committee of men 
whose special knowledge and experience will insure that the various 
classes of property are disposed of to the best advantage. In ac- 
cordance with arrangements made with the various Government de- 
partments concerned, no property, surplus to the requirements of 
these departments, will in future be disposed of except through or 
by arrangement with the disposal board. This equally applies to 
surplus stores in the various theaters of war. A special section is 
being established to deal with sales to neutral countries. — [Com- 
merce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Mar. 10, 1919, p. 1106.] 



UNITED KINGDOM. 165 

Investigation of Motor- Car Markets. 

The department of overseas trade and the Association of British 
Motor and Allied Manufacturers have completed arrangements for 
the dispatch of an investigator to Australia, New Zealand, India, 
and the Far East to ascertain the conditions and prospects in those 
territories for the sale of British motor vehicles, their parts and 
accessories. The cost of the investigation is being defrayed in equal 
shares by the association and by the Government. Among the sub- 
jects to be covered in the investigation will be technical specifications 
of the cars most in demand, facilities for obtaining fuel, road sys- 
tems, customs duties, legislative restrictions, importers, trade organ- 
izations, methods of competitors, and transport facilities. — [British 
Board of Trade Journal, Mar. 13, 1919.] 

leather Industry. 

The British fancy leather-goods business has been termed as " one 
of the trade romances of the war, prior to which Germany had a 
monopoly of the industry." It is claimed that to-day the trade has 
passed to Great Britain, the credit for which is mainly due to the 
national leather-goods manufacturers' association. It started by re- 
vising the technical education of the workers ; classes including special 
training for wounded soldiers were formed and the Cordwainers' 
Company placed colleges and teachers at the service of the association. 
Valuable information was thus spread, with the result that the 
British worker is now said to be second to none in this trade, while 
the quality of British leather goods is exceedingly high. The pros- 
pects for the industry are considered very bright, as the large British 
colonial market formerly controlled by Germany will in the future 
be transferred to Great Britain. While confident for the future, 
leather-goods traders maintain that restriction of competing imports 
is necessary, if they are to keep up present wages and produce an ar- 
ticle to win in any market of the world. — [Commerce Eeports, U. S. 
Dept. of Commerce, Mar. 15, 1919, p. 1261.] 

Industrial Research. 

Thirty trades are cooperating in the Government department of 
scientific and industrial research, which aims at a complete revalua- 
tion of science in the scale of British thought and practice. The de- 
partment hopes to become a clearing house for all information bear- 
ing on research work. Valuable work has already been done in 
many directions, notably in the glass industry, where success has 
been had in defining the ingredients required for the manufacture of 
optical glasses, hitherto made exclusively at Jena, and, in addition to 
this, three completely new glasses, previously unobtainable, have been 
discovered. Something like $100,000 has been spent in the past three 
years on work in this department, and in the coming year another 



166 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. 

$150,000 will be spent on grants to individual students and workers. 
In the pottery trade a new ware has been invented, also a new cheap 
glaze, which will enable the British trade to hold its own with the 
hard porcelains produced in Germany and Austria. — [Commerce Ee- 
ports, IT. S. Dept. of Commerce, Mar. 18, 1919, p. 1322.] 

Government Grant for Road Work. 

Owing to high prices, lack of materials, transport difficulties, and 
the need of much repair and reconstruction work, as well as the de- 
sirability of stimulating useful work, the Government has decided 
on making a grant of $50,000,000 to promote work on roads and 
bridges throughout the country. The road board has represented 
to the Government that the kind of work most urgently required at 
present is the strengthening and resurfacing with improved materials 
of important roads and bridges, and that preference should be given 
to highways on which there is, or is likely to be, a large volume of 
heavy motor traffic. — [Commerce Eeports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, 
Mar. 19, 1919, p. 1331.] 

British Steel Combine. 

Messrs. Baldwin, steel manufacturers, have acquired the under- 
taking of the British Steel Corporation, which was formed last 
October, with a capital of $5,000,000. This corporation had acquired 
the Briton Ferry Works and a site of 305 acres, situated between the 
Swansea Docks and Neath Biver, on which blast furnaces and coke 
ovens, with a capacity of 20,000 tons of pig iron, are to be erected. 
When this amalgamation is completed the new corporation will have 
the largest productive capacity in Great Britain and one of the largest 
in Europe. Other negotiations are in progress for the extension of 
the Baldwin interests to the manufacturing side of the steel busi- 
ness. Another recently announced amalgamation of steel interests 
was that of the Furness group and the Seaton Carew Iron & Steel 
Co. This is the second merger negotiated by the Furness Cor- 
poration this year, the firm of Cochrane & Co. having been acquired 
a short time ago. — [Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, 
Mar. 19, 1919, p. 1330.] 
Public Electric Power. 

The British ministry of reconstruction proposes the establishment 
of 16 public electric stations to furnish heat, light, and power for all 
industry. This will make possible unlimited, uniform, standardized 
power, distributed by great trunk lines to every industrial center. 
It is estimated that under this plan 25,000,000 tons of coal will pro- 
duce as much as the 80,000,000 now used. Also that relieving the 
railroads, canals, and coast vessels of the coal traffic would be equiva- 
lent to adding one-third to present transportation equipment. The 



UNITED KINGDOM. 167 

committee calculates that " all these savings and advantages can 
hardly be put at less than $500,000,000 per annum." — {Gazette, 
Niagara Falls, N. Y., Mar. 19, 1919.] 

Reconstruction. 

The British Government has announced that it has set aside 
$50,000,000 to be used in road building and in the reconstruction of 
bridges allowed to fall into decay during the war. About 2,500 miles 
of roads will be constructed, and the work will give employment to 
fully 100,000 men, most of whom will be discharged soldiers. — [Ga- 
zette, Trenton, N. J., Mar. 24, 1919.] 

Organization for Foreign Trade. 

At a meeting of the British Manufacturers' Association called for 
the purpose of considering amalgamation with the Federation of 
British Industries, the proposal for amalgamation was carried unani- 
mously. The new organization will appoint what are called overseas 
trade commissioners to protect, guide, and advise members, numbering 
16,000 firms. These overseas trade commissioners are to be men of 
high commercial qualifications, conversant with the customs and com- 
mercial needs of the countries to which they are appointed, and will 
be settled in suitable offices in the chief commercial centers of the world 
with competent staffs. They are expected to report on the work of 
their foreign competitors and to collect such information as British 
manufacturers are presumed to need. — [Commerce Reports, U. S. 
Dept. of Commerce, Mar. 25, 1919, p. 1500.] 

Foreign Commerce. 

The British bureau of foreign commerce and the association of civil 
engineers are combining to send to Brazil a special agent who is to 
study the market in that country for English construction machinery. 
The researches of this mission will comprise : 

1. Conditions of the market, importers, methods of packing and 
distributing goods, Brazilian laws governing various articles, etc. 

2. Inquiries into industries which may prove to be channel? for the 
sale of English engineering materials, such as shipbuilding, foreign 
carriers, port works, dikes, hydraulic and electric construction proj- 
ects, and public works in general; coffee, cocoa, cotton, wool, whale 
oil, coconut oil; mining and mineral industries; sugar, cotton, rice, 
and jute mills; sawmills; manufacturing of candles, soap, and stear- 
ine ; and metal foundries. 

3. Investigation of markets in iron, steel, and other metals ; in con- 
struction materials for railroads, etc. ; in agricultural machinery, au- 
tomobiles, and automobile trucks; in materials for slaughterhouses 
and the refrigeration of beef ; and in materials for the construction 
of boilers, steam and gas motors, Diesel motors, etc. — [Commerce Re- 
ports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Mar. 26, 1919, p. 1517.] 



168 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. 

Industrial Parliament. 

On February 27, 1919, the peace parliament of employers and work- 
ers convened by the British Government met in London. Eight hun- 
dred delegates, representing trade-unions, trade boards, joint indus- 
trial councils, and reconstruction committees, attended the conference. 
The great majority of trade-unionists present clearly desired to enter 
into working relations with the employers in order to restore industry 
to a normal basis. A proportion of the employers wished to arrange 
better working conditions for their men and were ready to concede 
some share in control of management to the workers. 

Nothing really definite was accomplished except that it might be 
said that, if this conference is equally successful on its second meeting, 
which will take place within a few weeks, it may prove to be the first 
step in the creation of a permanent industrial parliament. It was 
brought out at the conference, however, that the workers are sick of 
talk about " capturing the markets of the world," " speeding-up de- 
vices," and " higher production." They have worked to the limits of 
their strength for four years and are utterly weary. No motivation 
will now avail to draw on the deeper sources of their productive 
power, except one that finds its dynamic in' a full measure of collec- 
tive benefit.— [The Survey, New York, N. Y., Mar. 29, 1919, p. 917.] 

Reconstruction Plans to Stimulate Agriculture. 

The minister of reconstruction announced that the reconstruction 
plans of the British Government are being based on an estimate 
that the United Kingdom, if its soil were properly cultivated, could 
produce enough food for about 30,000,000 people. He stated that 
Great Britain must not be purely an agricultural nor purely an in- 
dustrial nation, but a blend of both; that some manufacturers 
must go out of business, but enough will remain to employ those 
persons not engaged in agriculture and to maintain an export trade 
that will supply the United Kingdom with the remaining foodstuffs 
needed. The minister declared that the policy of the Government 
is to stimulate agriculture to the utmost, while at the same time 
maintaining the nation's industrial importance. — [American Archi- 
tect, New York, N. Y., Apr. 2, 1919.] 

Putting Household Employment on an Industrial Basis. 

English housewives are experiencing great difficulty in obtaining 
servants. Discharged women war workers do not show any desire to 
return to domestic service. To meet this situation the women's legion 
is preparing a minimum wage scale for household workers, which 
ranges from $90 a year for a scullery maid to $250 for a housekeeper. 
The workers are to live with the employers; but they are to have 
definite periods of leave and leisure, which will include two hours off 
every day besides time for meals, half a day and part of Sunday off 



UNITED KINGDOM. 169 

every week, and a yearly holiday of two weeks with pay. The 
Women's Industrial Council of England propose a " Household Or- 
derly Corps." This corps would enroll domestic workers and supply 
them to employers on the basis of a minimum wage of about $7.50 for 
a week of 48 hours, with overtime at a higher rate and one day off 
a week, the workers to provide their own lodging, laundry, and food. 
At Bristol an appeal tribunal, consisting of equal numbers of mis- 
tresses and maids, has been set up by the Bristol employment exchange 
to adjust differences arising- between employers and servants. A 
group of labor party women has recently drawn up a scheme for 
domestic employment which involves living out, a minimum wage of 
$8.75 a week, a 52-hour week, overtime counted as time and a quarter 
on week days and as double time on Sundays and holidays. Strong 
organizations for domestic workers are urged as the only basis for a 
satisfactory arrangement of the problem. — [The Survey, New York, 
N. Y., Apr. 5, 1919, p. 56.] 

Additional Transportation Facilities for Scotland. 

In view of the fact that a considerable quantity of railway plant, 
barges, and road rollers at present in France will shortly be set free, 
the Scottish divisional council for demobilization and resettlement are 
planning to ask the Government that a certain amount of it be sent 
to the north of Scotland for the purpose of extending transportation 
facilities there. It is pointed out that in addition to the importance 
of obtaining this plant for the purpose of fostering future industrial 
development, the construction of railways and roads would give 
immediate employment to large numbers of men. It is estimated 
that no less than 400 miles of railway will be required, representing 
a cost roughly of $10,000,000.— [Commerce Eeports, U. S. Dept. of 
Commerce, Apr. 8, 1919, p. 182.] 

Cinema Exhibits to Promote Foreign Trade. 

The Chamber of Commerce of Liverpool has announced that its 
project for advertising Liverpool commercial interests by sendiag a 
cinema exhibit on a world tour is meeting with success, and that 
several contracts have already resulted from this effort. — [Commerce 
Keports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Apr. 16, 1919, p. 363.] 

New Method of Paying Wages. 

A large soap manufacturing concern is contemplating the intro- 
duction of a new method of paying wages, which is outlined as fol- 
lows: Each man is to have a little private banking account in a 
bank of his own selection near his own house. The firm's bank is to 
be instructed to credit each man from the pay sheet with the amount 
of money he is entitled to receive for his wages. Under this system 
a man will draw out of his bank what he wants for his household 
expenses, and what he does not need will rest in the bank. The 



170 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. 

amount left as deposit with the bank will be supplemented by an ad- 
dition from the firm, and the money will earn 5 per cent interest. It 
is thought that if this arrangement can be put into operation, the 
tendency of the worker will be to leave a little more money each week 
in the bank, and also that instead of the money lying home it will 
be earning interest. — [Commerce Eeports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, 
Apr. 16, 1919, p. 356.] 

Formation of Bank to Handle Postwar "Undertakings. 

A new bank for foreign trade, called the British Overseas Bank, 
has been formed by five British banks — the Anglo-South American 
Bank; Glyn, Mills, Currie & Co.; the Northern Banking Co. (of 
Ireland) ; Union Bank of Scotland; and Williams Deacon's Bank. 
The capital will consist of 1,000,000 pounds in ordinary shares, to 
be subscribed by the banks interested in the venture; and 1,000,000 
pounds in preference shares, which carry participatory rights, will 
be offered to the general public. The primary purpose of this merger 
is to provide necessary size and strength for the financing of post- 
war undertakings. — [Commerce Eeports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, 
Apr. 19, 1919, p. 436.] 

Proposed Industrial Parliament. 

At a recent conference of British employers' associations and 
trade-unions, approval was given to a plan for the formation of a 
national industrial council on the following lines : 

1. To establish an industrial parliament to discuss all questions of 
difficulty and dispute which may arise in the future between em- 
ployers and employed. 

2. Mutually to agree as to a minimum rate of wage in all in- 
dustries. 

3. To fix the standard working hours and the conditions of service. 

4. To -act as the expert advisory body to the Government in all 
proposals for legislation affecting industry. 

It is anticipated that immediate Government action will be taken 
to give statutory power to this proposed new advisory body. — [Com- 
merce Eeports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, May 5, 1919, p. 691.] 

URUGUAY. 

Commercial Congress. 

The Uruguayan Government has issued a decree providing for the 
first American Congress of Commercial Education and Economic 
Commercial Expansion, to be held at Montevideo. The object will 
be to study the manner in which commercial education is to be 
guided and developed in each country, and to study the means of 
accomplishing in an adequate manner the economic-commercial ex- 
pansion of and between the nations of the American Continent. — 
[Commerce Eeports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Aug. 31, 1918, p. 845.] 



URUGUAY. 171 

Price Fixing. 

According to a report from the United States consul at Montevideo, 
the Uruguayan subsistence board is continuing its activities in con- 
nection with price regulation and conservation of supplies. They 
have issued a decree fixing the wholesale price of meat and other 
foodstuffs. They have also established maximum prices for gasoline 
and kerosene. — [Monthly Labor Review, U. S. Dept. of Labor, Jan- 
uary, 1919, pp. 113-114.] 



INDEX. 

Page, 

Adults, nonvocational education of, recommended by British committee 124 

Aerial service : 

Australia 10, 14 

European countries, postal 34 

France 36, 39, 53 

New Zealand . 107 

United Kingdom 149, 155, 162 

Agriculture and forestry : 

Argentina 8 

Austria-Hungary 16 

Brazil 19 

Canada 27 

France 34, 40-43, 47, 48, 51 

Germany 67, 68, 73-75, 77, 78 

Hungary 80, 81 

Italy 34, 89, 92, 96, 97, 99 

Mexico 103, 104 

Montenegro 104 

New Zealand 108 

Portugal 112 

Russia 114, 115 

United Kingdom 34, 123, 124, 131, 140, 141, 145, 162, 168 

(See also Land settlement.) 

Allied Powers requested by Belgium to extend credit for manufacturing 17 

Alphabet, new, in China 31 

Alsace-Lorraine : 

Digest of reconstruction activities in 7, 8 

Fund for restoration of northern France raised as testimony of grati- 
tude 53 

Germany, effect on, of loss of 71 

Mines, interests in, and port of Strasburg 52 

Railways of, linking up to those of France : 37 

Apprenticeship, rules for, in Great Britain ; State aid where interrupted 
by war 139 

American Federation of Labor, cooperation with labor of Mexico 109 

Arbitration and conciliation of labor disputes : 

Canada 25 

Hungary 80 

United Kingdom 135 

(See also Industrial relations.) 

Argentina : 

Digest of reconstruction activities in 8 

Royal Bank of Canada to have branch in 25 

Australia : 

Digest of reconstruction activities in 8-14 

Market for British motor vehicles in 165 

Outlet for Italian emigration in 100 

Austria-Hungary : 

Aerial postal service in 34 

Digest of reconstruction activities in 14-16 

Banking. (See Finance, banking, and credit.) 

Belgium : 

Digest of reconstruction activities in 16-18 

Reconstruction work in, Canada to attempt to secure share in 21 

Reforestation of, to have American aid 86 

Berne, international conference at 85 

173 



174 indjsx. 

Bohemia : Page. 

To have Atlantic port provided by France 35 

(See also Czecho-Slovakia.) 

Bolshevism, discussion of, at international conference at Berne 85 

Bonuses or gratuities for discharged soldiers and sailors : 

Canada 29 

France 44 

Germany 65 

Netherlands 106 

(See also State assistance.) 

Bounties for agricultural production in Portugal 112 

Brazil : 

British trade with 167 

Digest of reconstruction activities in 19 

Royal Bank of Canada to have branch in 25 

British Columbia : 

Department of industry 30 

Land settlement of soldiers ^ 23, 24 

British Empire, economic cooperation of constituent parts of 125 

Buenos Ayres, location of branch of Royal Bank of Canada in 25 

Building, resumption of: 

Austria-Hungary 16 

Canada 29, 30 

France 40, 42, 49, 51, 54 

Germany 58, 67 

. Sweden 120 

United Kingdom 128, 138-140 

(See also Housing; Industry, rehabilitation of.) 

Bulgaria, digest of reconstruction activities in 19, 20 

Canada : 

Digest of reconstruction activities in 20-30 

Lumber, sale of, to Great Britain 150 

Steamship service with Great Britain, resumption of 150 

Steamship service with Vladivostok, resumption of 117 

Cargo insurance in Great Britain 138 

Cereals, prices of, guaranteed for 1919 in England and Wales 142 

Child labor : 

International 39, 83, 84, 86 

United Kingdom 146, 147, 158, 159, 162 

(See also Education, compulsory.) 
Children of deceased and disabled soldiers, scholarships for in Australia- 10 

Chile, digest of reconstruction activities in 30, 31 

China, digest of reconstruction activities in 31 

Clothing for demobilized British soliders, and use of uniforms not re- 
tained 152 

Clothing, manufacture of, by Government of Australia 13 

Coal, production and conservation of: 

Austria-Hungary 14 

France 43 

Germany 73,75 

Greece 79 

Hungary 82 

Italy 90,99 

Netherlands 105 

Switzerland 121 

United Kingdom 125-127, 166, 167 

(See also Mining.) 
Coffee, production of and trade in : 

Brazil . 19 

Italy 88 

Coin, gold and silver, importation of into Great Britain authorized 151 

Collective agreements and bargaining between employers and employees : 

Germany 67-69, 76 

Italy 101 

United Kingdom 126, 127 

(See also Industrial councils; Industrial relations.) 



INDEX. 175 

P?ge. 

Collective buying of materials in France 35 

Commerce, foreign. (See Trade foreign.) 

Commercial Education and Economic Commercial Expansion, American 
Congress of, called at Montevideo by Uruguayan Government 170 

Commissions, committees, conferences, and ministries on reconstruction 
or transition : 

Austria-Hungary 14-16 

Belgium 16-18 

Bulgaria 19,20 

Canada 26 

France 36, 42, 43, 45-47, 52 

German- Austria 54, 55 

Germany 56, 57, 59. 62, 63 

Greece 79, 80 

Hungary 80-82 

Italy 86-88, 91, 92, 94-96 

Japan 101 

Netherlands 105 

Poland 110, 111 

United Kingdom 122-125 

Constitution of Switzerland, proposed revision of 121 

Contracts for war supplies, adjustment of: 

Italy 94,95 

United Kingdom 129 

Cooperative purchasing, distribution, and storage, societies for, in Italy 92, 93 

Copenhagen, meetings held at, for cooperation of Scandinavian countries 

in economic and commercial affairs 116 

Cordite, manufacture of, by Government, in Australia 13 

Cost of living : 

Canada 21,22 

France 39 

New Zealand 108 

United Kingdom 143 

Cotton industry. (See Textile industry.) 

Councils, joint industrial, of employers and employees, in Great Brit- 
ain 126, 127, 146, 147, 161, 162, 168 

Credit. (See Finance, banking, and credit; Loans.) 

Currency, decimal, adoption of, by United Kingdom _: 123, 131 

Czecho-Slovakia, digest of reconstruction activities in 32, 33 

Damage caused by war, amount of, in France 50 

Damage caused by war, compensation to individuals for : 

France : 42, 49 

Italy 95.96 

Debts of soldiers, payment of, in Germany 67 

Demobilization : 

Canada 22, 26-29 

Germany 61, 63-67, 73-76 

Hungary SO 

Netherlands 105, 106 

United Kingdom 128, 134, 137-139, 146, 150-152, 155-157, 160, 161 

Demobilization of labor. (See Munition workers.) 

Denmark : 

Aerial postal service in 34 

Digest of reconstruction activities in 33 

Economic cooperation with other Scandinavian countries 116 

Devastated regions, restoration of : 

Austria-Hungary 16 

France 37, 38, 40-44, 46, 4S-54 

Italy 91 

Disabled employees in Germany not to be dismissed unless other employ- 
ment is provided 70 

Disabled men in Great Britain, insurance of, under workmen's com- 
pensation act 136 

Disabled soldiers and sailors. (See Families; Medical, etc., treatment; 
State assistance.) 



176 INDEX. 

Disabled soldiers, voluntary funds for relief of : Page. 

Germany 59 

Italy 92 

South Africa 117 

Disputes between employers and employees. (See Industrial relations.) 

Dock trades, employment in, in Great Britain 155 

Domestic service in Great Britain 168, 169 

Dye industry in Great Britain 140, 150 

Economic conditions, needs, and resources, investigation of : 

Alsace-Lorraine 7 

Belgium 16 

Brazil 19 

Bulgaria 20 

Czecho-Slovakia , 32 

France- 35-37,52 

Germany 61, 71, 73, 74, 79 

Italy 86, 87, 91, 94, 98 

Japan 101 

Spain 118,119 

United Kingdom 122-128, 133, 134, 144, 145, 161, 162 

Economic conditions. (See also Finance, banking and credit; Food; 
Housing ; Industry ; Labor ; Power ; Tariffs ; Trade, foreign. ) 

Education act, British, of 1918 147 

Education, adult, British reconstruction committee's reports on 124 

Education, compulsory : 

France 38 

International 83 

United Kingdom 147 

(See also Child labor.) 

Education, higher, in Japan 101, 102 

Education in China, new alphabet to facilitate 31 

Education in English language in Japan 102 

Education. (See also Vocational education; Vocational training.) 

Electric power: 

France 35,42 

Hungary 82 

India 83 

Italy 91 

United Kingdom 148, 166, 167 

Electrification of railways in Switzerland 120, 121 

Emigration, regulation of: 

International 86 

Italy 87, 88, 96, 99, 100 

Employer and employee. (See Industrial relations.) 

Employers, programs of: 

Germany 61, 62 

Italy 90 

Employment bureaus: 

Germany 75 

Hungary 82 

International 86 

Italy 96 

South Africa 117 

United Kingdom 133, 134, 143 

Employment of returned soldiers: 

Australia 10,13 

Canada 20, 22, 26-30 

France 38 

' Germany 57, 58, 61, 63, 67, 68, 70, 73, 74 

Hungary 82 

Italy 90,97 

South Africa 117 

United Kingdom 128, 137-139, 154-157, 167 

(See also Land settlement; Settlements, industrial; Unemployment; 
Vocational training.) 



INDEX. 177 

England : Page. 

Agricultural conditions in, investigation of, by United States 34 

Price of cereals for 1919 guaranteed in 142 

War memorials in 157 

(See also United Kingdom.) 

European countries, aerial postal service in 34 

Exports : 

Alsace-Lorraine 8 

Canada 21 

China 31 

France 8, 44, 47, 48, 52 

Italy 94,98 

Japan 101 

Mexico 103 

Spain _ 119 

Sweden 120 

Switzerland 120, 121 

Turkey 121, 122 

United Kingdom 125, 129, 145, 146, 169 

(See also Trade, foreign.) 

Factions, conciliation of, in China 31 

Factions, conciliation of, in Mexico 103 

Factories, Government operation of, in Australia 13, 14 

Factories producing war materials, conversion to peace production : 

France 37, 39, 41, 42, 45, 46 

Germany 70, 71 

Italy 87, 90, 91, 93-95 

United Kingdom 129, 130, 134, 137 

Families of soldiers and sailors, assistance for : 

Australia 8-10 

Germany 57 

Italy 90 

South Africa 117 

(See also State assistance.) 
Farm loans. (See Agriculture; Land settlement.) 

Fatigue, industrial, investigation of, in Great Britain 159 

Federal Reserve Board, United States, announces credit to Peru 110 

Fiduciary societies in France, to determine whether extension of credit 

to business establishments is warranted 36 

Finance, banking, and credit: 

Argentina 8 

Canada . 25 

Czecho-Slovakia 32 

France _ 36, 41, 43, 47, 51, 52 

German-Austria 55 

Germany 56, 57, 63, 64, 71, 72, 77 

Hungary 81 

Italy 91, 95, 97 

Mexico 103,104 

Peru 110 

Poland „ 110,111 

Russia 114, 115 

Spain 118 

Turkey 122 

United Kingdom 126, 131, 133, 134, 138, 140, 148, 151, 153, 170 

Finland, National Industrial League of, to hold national fair in 1919 for 

encouragement of industry, etc 34 

Finland and Sweden, trade agreement between 34,35 

Flax, new method of handling likely to greatly increase production 

in Ireland 142 

Food scarcity, relief of; food regulations: 

Belgium 18 

France 40-43.45 

International 84, S5 

115488—19 12 



178 INDKX. 

Food scarcity, relief of; food regulations — Continued. I'age. 

Russia 114 

United Kingdom 156, 158, 161 

Foreign trade. (See Trade, foreign. 

Forestry- (See Agriculture ; Reforestation.) 

France : 

Agricultural conditions in 34 

Alsace-Lorraine, government and rehabilitation 7 

Coal and steel to be furnished to Switzerland in return for cattle 121 

Digest of reconstruction activities of 35-54 

Emigration from Italy to 100 

Netherlands special commission to promote trade with 105 

Potash output of Alsace required for a time 8 

Railway plant, road rollers, etc., to be returned to United Kingdom. 169 

Reconstruction work, Canada to attempt to secure share in 21 

Reforestation of, to have American aid 86 

Release from army of men who might contribute to extension of 

Allied influence in Brazil 19 

Supreme Council dealing with supply of food to liberated and enemy 
territory, representation on 84, 85 

Freedom of speech and press, removal of restrictions on, in Germany 65 

German-Austria, digest of reconstruction activities in 54, 55 

Germany : 

Commercial interests in Russia 113, 115 

Digest of reconstruction activities in 55-79 

Indemnity to Belgium 17, 18 

Trade agreement with Czecho-Slovakia 32 

Glass industry in Great Britain 165, 166 

Government, change of, effect on contracts, credits, currency, and other 
obligations : 

Germany 63, 64, 72 

Hungary 82,83 

Government departments, improvement of machinery of, in Great 

Britain 141, 149 

Government of Alsace-Lorraine until signing of Peace Treaty 7 

Government ownership of colleries in Austria-Hungary 14 

Government ownership of railways : 

Australia 14 

Canada 22, 27 

Italy 98, 99 

Mexico r 102 

Spain 118 

United Kingdom 131, 135 

Great Britain. (See United Kingdom.) 

Greece, digest of reconstruction activities in 79, 80 

Hague, The, Belgian traders in, unite to purchase supplies for Belgium 16 

Harbor improvements. (See Ports.) 

Harness and saddlery, manufacture of, by Government, in Australia 13 

Health, ministry of, proposal to create in Great Britain 163 

Hours of labor, reduction, regulation, and investigation of : 

Australia 13, 14 

Canada 22 

Denmark 33 

France 38. 39 

Germany : 63, 71, 74-76 

Hungarv 82 

International 83. 86 

Italy 99, 101 

Netherlands 107 

United Kingdom 124. 129, 146, 159. 162, 168, 169 

Housing : 

Canada 26. 27, 29, 30 

France 42, 45, 51 

Germany-Austria 54 

Germany 56-58, 62-68, 70-73, 75 

Hungary 82 



rNDEX. 179 

Housing — Continued. Page. 

Sweden ^20 

United Kingdom 124, 131, 138-140, 147, 14S, 157, 161,~162, 164 

Hungary, digest of reconstruction activities in 80-83 

(See also Austria-Hungary.) 

Illiteracy in China 31 

Immigration : 

Canada 22 

Germany 77 

International §g 

Imports : 

Belgium „ 16? 17 



China 



31 



France 47> 48 

Germany 57> 76) 77 

Italy 88i 90 

Japan 101 



Mexico 



104 



Sweden -^20 

Turkey m , 122 

United Kingdom 123, 145, 151 

{See also Trade, foreign.) 
Indemnity : 

Belgium 17 18 

France ' 45 

(See also Damage.) 

India, development of water power of 8 3 

Industrial councils of employers and employees, in Great Britain 126, 

127, 146, 147, 161, 162. 168 

Industrial League, The, in Great Britain 14 7 

Industrial parliament convened by British Government 168 

Industrial parliament, proposed by a conference as a permanent institu- 
tion in Great Britain, with parliamentary sanction 1 7 

Industrial relations : 

Canada 25 

Germany 6 7-69, 76 

Hungary 8 q 

Italy 101 

Norway 108, 109 

United Kingdom 126, 127, 131, 135, 146, 147, 157, 160-162, 168, 170 

Industry, department of : 

Canada 30 

Mexico 102 

Industry, investigation of conditions of. (See Economic conditions.) 
Industry, nationalization and socialization of. (See Socialization.) 
Industry, rehabilitation and readjustment of: 

Belgium 1 6> 1 7 

Czecho-Slovakia 32 

France.— 37-39, 41-47, 51 

Germany 57. 58, 70, 71, 73-77, 79 

Greece 79,80 

Hungary _ 8 

Italy 87, 88, 90, 91, 93-95, 100 

Spain us, 119 

United Kingdom 123, 125, 129, 134, 137. 141, 144-146, 153, 154, 165, 166 

Insurance, aircraft and bombardment, discontinued by Government of 

Great Britain 154 

Insurance, cargo, in Great Britain 138 

Insurance, nationalization of, in 'Russia 113, 114 

Insurance or allowances for unemployment : 

Australia 11 

German-Austria 54, 55 

Germany 59, 62, 66, 67, 73, 75 

Hungary 80 

International 86 

Italy 96,98 

United Kingdom 130, 131, 134 



180 INDEX. 

Interallied Commission for the Industrial and Agricultural Reconstruc- Page, 
tion of Belgium 16 

Interallied council of relief 84, 85 

International foreign-trade statistics, uniform classification of 84 

International labor legislation: 

German imperial labor bureau's program 74, 75 

Proposals of International Association for Labor Legislation 83, 84 

Proposals of labor committee of French Chamber of Deputies 39 

Report on, of commission of Peace Conference 85, 86 

International matters, digest of references to 83-86 

International Sleeping Car Co. 85 

International conferences at Berne 85 

Ireland : 

Production of flax in 142 

Reconstruction problems in 143, 144 

Reconstruction work for demobilized soldiers and sailors in 162 

(See also United Kingdom.) 

Iron and steel industry and other metal industries : 

France 37, 43, 47 

Germany 69, 70, 74 

Italy 91, 100 

Spain 119 

United Kingdom 123, 127, 138, 166 

Irrigation. (See Reclamation.) 

Italy : 

Aerial postal service in 34 

Agricultural condition in 46 

Digest of reconstruction activities in 86-101 

Supreme Council dealing with supply of food to liberated and enemy 
territory, represention on 84, 85 

Japan : 

Development by, of Chinese shipping . 31 

Development by, of colonization in Brazil •■ 19 

Digest of reconstruction activities in 101, 102 

Monopolization of trade of China 31 

Relation to Siberian railway system 115 

Secret treaties with China 31 

Joint industrial councils, of employers and employees, in Great Britain 126, 

127, 146, 147, 161, 162, 168 

Key industries in Great Britain 125, 128 

King George V, speech of, opening Parliament 160, 161, 163 

Canada 24, 25 

Germany 60, 74, If. 

Labor disputes. (See Arbitration; Industrial councils; Industrial rela- 
tions.) 

Labor, hours of: (See Hours of labor.) 

Labor legislation : 

France 38 

German- Austria . 54 

Germany . 55, 56 

United Kingdom 124 

(See also Child labor; Hours of labor; Wages; Working conditions.) 

Labor legislation, international : 

France 38, 39 

Germany 74, 75 

Proposed by International Association for Labor Legislation 83, 84 

Report on, of commission of Peace Conference 85, 86 

Labor organizations, programs of: 

France 38, 39, 48, 49, 52 

Germany 55, 56, 60, 74- 76 

International 85 

Italy 96,97 

United Kingdom 131, 141 

Labor shortage in Germany 75 

Land, acquisition of, for public purposes, in Great Britain 132 

Land settlement of soldiers and sailors : 

Australia . 9,11-13 

Canada 20, 23, 24, 27, 28 



INDEX. ' 181 

Land settlement of soldiers and sailors — Continued. Page. 

Germany J 67. 68, 70 

Hungary 81 

New Zealand 107, 108 

South Africa 118 

United Kingdom 143, 145, 159 

Leather goods industry in Great Britain 165 

Leather, sole, to be released for civilian purposes in Great Britain 149, 150 

Linen, production of, in Canada 21 

Liquor traffic, restriction of. in Paraguay , . 109 

Liverpool, use of motion pictures by Chamber of Commerce of, to advertise 

commercial interests ■ 169 

Lloyd George, Premier, address of 161 

Loans for agriculture. (See Agriculture; Land settlement of soldiers.) 
Loans, Government : 

Bohemia 32 

Germany 64 

Spain IIS 

Loans to industrial and commercial concerns. (See Finance, banking, 

and credit: Industry, rehabilitation of.) 
Loans to soldiers and sailors : 

Australia 89 

Italy 90 

(See also Land settlement; State assistance.) 
London : 

Aerial service from Australia 10 

Bankers of, anxiety to invest in Belgian industries ■. 18 

Belgian traders in, unite to purchase supplies for Belgium 16-18 

Canadian Trade Mission in 21 

Exchange rate with Peru fixed 110 

Italian mission to, to study reconstruction problems.- 88 

Speech of Miss Fry, of London branch of Friends' War Victims Relief 

Committee, on conditions in Belgium___ . ;- IS 

Lumber, purchase of, by Great Britain in Canada 150 

Lumber, sale at cost by Canadian merchants to soldiers settling on land 28 

Manitoba, financing of public works in 21 

Melbourne, Trades Hall Council of, inaugurates movement for 44-hour 

week in Australia 13, 14 

Materials, war, disposal and utilization of. (See War materials.) 
Medical, surgical, and hospital treatment of disabled soldiers : 

Austria-Hungary 15 

Canada 20, 26, 28, 29 

France 53 

Italy 90 

United Kingdom 154, 159, 163 

Merchant marine : 

Argentina 8 

Canada 27 

China 31 

Denmark 33 

France 49, 50, 52 

Germany • 71, 74, 77 

Italy ; 90-93 

United Kingdom 123 

127, 129, 132, 141, 144, 146, 150, 151, 155, 156, 160, 161 
Metal industries. (See Iron and steel.) 

Metric system, proposed adoption of, in United Kingdom 123 

Mexico : 

Digest of reconstruction activities in 102-104 

Organized labor in, cooperation of with American Federation of Labor. 109 

Milan, public works in 92,96 

Mines and mining : 

Alsace-Lorraine S, 52, 71 

Austria-Hungary 14 

Child labor in, proposed international legislation as to S3 

France *_ 42, 43, 45, 52 

Germany 56, 66, 68, 73-75, 7S 



182 ' INDWX 

Mines and< mining — Continued. Page. 

Greece ! 80 

Hungary 82 

International _,, , S3, 86 

Netherlands . ;_ 105 

Poland 111 

Spain 118 

United Kingdom 126, 127, 131, 148, 160 

(See also Coal.) 

Monopolies, Government : 

Italy 97-99 

Poland ' 111 

Montenegro, steps taken to develop agriculture in 104 

Montevideo, location of branch of Royal Bank of Canada in 25 

Motherhood, national endowment of, proposed in Great Britain 158 

Motion pictures for commercial propaganda : 

Canada 24 

United Kingdom 169 

Motion pictures showing work of Canada in treatment, reeducation, 

and employment of disabled soldiers 20 

Motor vehicles, British, investigation of markets for, in Australia, New 

Zealand, India, and the Far East . 165 

Munition workers and other war workers, demobilization of: 

Germany 61, 65, 73 

United Kingdom 128-130, 132-134, 139," 140, 145, 157, 161 

JSTational Alliance of Employers and Employed, Great Britain 157 

National Industrial League of Finland to hold national fair in 1919 34 

Nationalization of industry. ( See Government ownership ; Socialization. ) 

Nationalization of insurance in Russia 113, 114 

Netherlands : 

Assistance of, in reconstruction of France . 51 

Digest of reconstruction activities in 104-107 

New Brunswick, land settlement of soldiers in 23 

New South Wales : 

Agreement with Victoria as to public works 14 

Land settlement of soldiers in 9, 11, 12 

Political federation of returned soldiers in 9 

Training of returned soldiers in, for Government railway workshops. 14 
Unemployment insurance in 11 

New York : 

Exchange rate with Peru fixed 110 

Exhibition of French goods in 44 

New Zealand, digest of reconstruction activities in 107, 108 

Night work. (See Hours of labor.) 

Norway : 

Digest of reconstruction activities in 108, 109 

France, assistance in reforestation 49, 50 

Organizations of returned soldiers and sailors for political purposes 
in Australia 9 

Pan American Federation of Labor 109 

Panama Canal Zone, resumption of radio service in 109 

Paris : 

Belgian reconstruction committee in 18 

Belgian traders in, unite to purchase supplies for Belgium 16 

Express trains to resume service with Constantinople 85 

Italian mission to, to study reconstruction problems 88 

Peruvian exchange in 110 

Royal Bank of Canada to have branch in 25 

Societe d'Economique of 7 

Parliament, British, inclusion in of many army service men and others 
distinguished for service in war 152 

Passports for leaving Great Britain 131 

Peace Conference, report of commission on international labor legisla- 
tion ■- 85, 86 

Pensions, allowances, and compensation for disability^ to soldiers and 

- sailors and their families: 

Australia 9 

Canada 22, 26, 29 



INDEX. 183 

I .'elisions, allowances, and compensation for disability, etc. — Continued. Page. 

Germany 59 

Italy 90, 91, 97 

South Africa 117 

(See also . Bonuses ; Families; Medical, etc., treatment; State as- 
sistance.) 

Peru, digest of reconstruction activities in 110 

Poland, digest of reconstruction activities in 110, 111 

Political federation of returned soldiers in Australia , 9 

Ports, improvement of : 

France 48,49 

Italy 90,98 

United Kingdom 145 

Portugal : 

Digest of reconstruction activities in 111, 112 

Release from army, of men who might contribute to extension of 

influence of Allies in Brazil 19 

Postal service, aerial, in European countries 34 

(See also Aerial service.) 

Potash, Alsatian, effect of loss of on Germany 71 

Potash output of Alsace needed for France 8 

Potash supply for Great Britain 126, 127 

Pottery industry in Great Britain 166 

Power development : 

France 35,42 

Hungary 82 

India 83 

Italy 91 

Spain 118 

United Kingdom 144, 148 

Prices, Government regulation of : 

Canada - 21,22 

Russia 1 113 

Sweden 120 

Uruguay 171 

Prices, probable course of, in Great Britain 153 

Priorities in use of raw materials in Great Britain 128, 125, 146 

Profit sharing in industry in Italy 98 

Public welfare, ministry for, in German-Austria 54 

Public works, construction of, to relieve unemployment: 

Australia 13. 14 

Canada 21, 27, 28 

France 40, 44, 45 

Italy 87, 90-92, 95-98 

New Zealand 107, 108 

Poland HO, 111 

United Kingdom 140, 145, 161, 166, 167, 169 

Queensland : 

Land settlement for soldiers in 12 

Returned soldiers' political federation 9 

Radio service, resumption of, in Panama Canal Zone 109 

Railroad equipment : 

Belgium 17 

France 47 

I ta ly 95, 99, 100 

Mexico 103 

Spain n9 

United Kingdom 124, 125, 131, 132, 145, 169 

Railroads and other transportation facilities, reconstruction and develop- 
ment of, and restoration to normal conditions : 

C^ innrli - ~*-~ ~* ***' 

France~"I.rJ 37, 38, 40, 44, 45, 47, 49, 53 

International °* 

Italy 95,97-100 

New Zealand 1° 8 

Siberia JJJ 

Switzerland 12 °- m 

United Kingdom 124, 125, 131, 132, 135, 145, 150, 161, 169 



184 INDEX. 

Railroads, Government ownership, operation, or control of : Page. 

Australia . 14 

Canada 22,27 

Italy , 98, 99 

Mexico- : 118 

Spain 102 

United Kingdom 131, 135, 144, 151, 162 

Railway service, express, resumption of, between Paris and Constanti- 
nople : __. 85 

Raw materials, need, distribution, and control of : 

Belgium 17 

France 37, 43, 46, 51, 52 

Germany ___: 75 

Greece 79 

Hungary.. 80 

Italy__ 87, 90-95, 98 

Netherlands « 104 

Poland— 111 

Spain : 119 

United Kingdom 123, 125, 127, 128, 144-146, 161 

Reclamation and irrigation of land : 

Chile 30,31 

Italy 89,98 

New Zealand 108 

Turkey 122 

United Kingdom 123 

(See also Land settlement.) 

Reforestation : 

Belgium 86 

France 49, 50, 86 

United Kingdom 86 

Repatriation of refugees in Belgium 17 

Reserve, British, demobilized men to be placed in, until ratification of 
peace treaty 139 

Rhine, freedom of, recommended by French commission to be guaranteed 
by peace treaty 52 

Rio de Janeiro, location of branch of Royal Bank of Canada in 25 

Road building : 

Canada 27,28 

Italy 98 

New Zealand 108 

United Kingdom 140, 145, 161, 166, 167, 169 

(See also Public works.) 

Rome: 

Mission dispatched to, to study reconstruction problems 88 

Public works of 97 

Russia : 

Commercial relations with Switzerland _ 121 

Digest of reconstruction activities in 112, 115 

Russia-Siberia, digest of reconstruction activities in 115, 116 

Safety of workers, proposed international legislation as to 83, 84 

Safety of workers. (See also Working conditions.) 

Saskatchewan, financing of public works in 21 

Scandinavian countries, plans for cooperation between 116 

Science and invention, application to industry : 

Germany 75, 78, 79 

United Kingdom 125, 165, 166 

(See also Economic conditions, investigation of; industry, rehabilita- 
tion of.) 

Scotland, request of, for railroad and road machinery and equipment, 
on its being set free in France 169 

Scotland. (See also United Kingdom.) 

Settlement, land. (See Land settlement.) 

Settlements, industrial, for returned subnormal soldiers and sailors in 

Australia 10 

Shipbuilding : 

Argentina 8 

Canada 27 



INDEX. 185 

Shipbuilding— Continued. p8 « e - 

China 31 

Germany 71 

Italy 91 

United Kingdom 123. 132, 146, 160 

(Sec also Merchant marine.) 
Shipping. (See Merchant marine; ports.) 

Siberia, digest of reconstruction activities in 115-117 

Silk trade in Italy 99 

Skilled men, preference of, over dilutees, in Great Britain 163,164 

Small arms, manufacture of, by Government, in Australia 13 

Socialization of industry : 

Prance 4S 

Germany 69, 78 

Greece 80 

Italy 92 

Poland HI 

Russia 112-115 

Siberia '- 116 

(See also Government ownership.) 

South Africa, digest of reconstruction activities in 117, 118 

South Australia, land settlement of soldiers in 9, 11 

Spain : 

Commercial agents of Mexico in 104 

Digest of reconstruction activities in 118, 119 

State assistance for soldiers and sailors : 

Australia = 8, 9 

Austria-Hungary 15 

German-Austria 54 

Germany 57, 60, 61 

(See also Bonuses; Families; Loans; Land settlement; Medical, etc., 
treatment; Settlements, industrial; Vocational training.) 
Steel manufacture. (See Iron and steel.) 

Stock raising in Argentina 8 

Stock raising. (See also Agriculture.) 

Storage, cold, of foods in Italy 90 

Storage facilities in Great Britain 136, 137, 144 

Straits Settlements, new steamship lines from, to United States 119, 120 

Supplies, disposal and utilization of. (See War materials.) 
Swift & Co. ; activity of, in securing financing of Argentine live-stock de- 
velopment 8 

Sweden : 

Commercial interests in Russia 113 

Digest of reconstruction activities in 120 

Economic cooperation with other Scandinavian countries 116 

Trade agreement with Finland 34, 35 

Switzerland : 

Atlantic port for 35 

Digest of reconstruction activities in 120, 121 

Fieedom of Rhine advantageous to 52 

Tariffs : 

Canada 22 

France 35, 47, 52 

International 85 

(See also Economic conditions; Trade, foreign.) 

Tasmania, land settlement for soldiers in 12 

Toronto, housing plans of 29, 30 

Taxation and revenue. (See Finance, banking, and credit.) 

Telephone service, resumption of, in France 50 

Textile industry : 

Canada ~t 

France ' ,r" 

Cerni'inv _ 56—58, <0 

united kingdom"::::::::::"-"- 123, 136, 142, 157, ieo 

Timber resources of South Africa, report on question of making avail- 
able for general industrial purposes 118 

Trade-mark, collective, for French products j>*> 

Trade-mark, collective, for Swiss products 1^0 






186 INDEX. 

Trade, foreign : Page. I 

Belgium 16,17 

Brazil , 19 

Canada j 21 27 

China ' 31 

France 44 ; 47 

Germany _" 60, 64, 72, 76-79 

International ; uniformity of statistics 84 

Italy _ 86-88, 91, 94, 98, 99 

Japan 101 

Mexico 103,104 

Netherlands 105 

Norway 1 108 

Peru 110 

Russia , 112-114 

Spain 1 119 

Sweden 120 

Turkey 121, 122 

United Kingdom . 125, 129, 145, 150, 165, 167 

(See also Economic conditions; Exports; Imports; Tariffs.) 
Transition period, organization for. (See Commissions, etc.) 
Transportation of discharged soldiers: 

Canada 20 

Germany : , 60 

Transportation of munition workers to homes in Great Britain 130 

Treaties, secret, between China and Japan 31 

Tuberculosis : 

Austria-Hungary 15 

France 53 

Italy 90 

Turkey, digest of reconstruction activities in 121, 122 

Unemployment : 

Australia 10, 11, 13, 14 

Canada 25, 27 

Denmark 33 

France 39, 44, 51, 52 

German-Austria 54, 55 

Germany 56, 59, 61, 73-78 

Hungary 82 

Italy 96, 98, 100 

Netherlands 104 

Poland _ 111 

United Kingdom 131, 142, 143, 155, 164 

(See also Employment of returned soldiers; Vocational education; 
Vocational training.) 
Unemployment insurance, or Government allowances: 

Australia 11 

Canada 27 

German-Austria 54, 55 

Germany 59, 62, 66, 67, 73, 75 

Hungary 80 

International 86 

Italy 96,98 

United Kingdom 130, 131, 134 

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland: 

Aerial service between London and Australia 10 

Banking activities in Turkey 122 

Dairy farms, establishment of, in Mesopotamia 122 

Digest of reconstruction activities in 122-170 

Investment in Belgian industries 18 

Mexican trade with 104 

Netherlands to appoint special commission to promote trade with 105 

Reclamation work in Mesopotamia 122 

Reforestation of, to have aid of American Forestry Association 86 

Return of refugees to Belgium 17 

Supreme Council dealing with supply of food to liberated and enemy 
territory, representation on 84, 85 



index. 187 

United States of America: Page. 

Alsace, potash from, not available in spring of 1919 8 

Belgium, extension of credit to, by bankers 18 

Belgium, request by, for loan of railroad equipment 17 

Czeeho-Slovakia, trade relations with 33 

England, France, and Italy, report of commission of United States 
Department of Agriculture on conditions in 34 

France, supply of raw materials and manufactured articles to 46, 51, 52 

French board to develop markets in 44 

Germany, condition of American-owned factories in - 77 

Great Britain, France, and Belgium, assistance of American Forestry 

Association in reforestation of 86 

Italy, trade with 99 

Mexico, relations with — 

Claims for damages through Mexican revolution 103 

Commercial agents of Mexico in 103 

Conciliatory policy of Mexico toward 103 

Organized labor, cooperation of, in Mexico and United States___ 109 

Railroad equipment, supply of, to Mexico 103 

Norway, exposition of American goods in, during summer of 1919 108 

Peru, extension of credit to HO 

Portugal, extension of trade with m 

Russian trade, activities with respect to 114, 115 

Spain, closer commercial relations with 119 

Singapore, steamship communication with 119, 120 

Supreme Council dealing with supply of food to liberated and enemy 

territory, representation on 84, 85 

Vladivostok, resumption of steamer service to 117 

Uruguay : 

Digest of reconstruction activities in 170, 171 

Royal Bank of Canada to have branch in ' 25 

Victoria : 

Agreement of with New South Wales as to public works 14 

Land settlement of soldiers in 9, n, 1 12 

Returned soldiers' political federation in ' ■ 9 

Vocational training of soldiers in 10 

Vladivostok, resumption of steamship service with Canadian and United 

States ports 117 

Vocational education, general : 

Denmark 33 

Greece 80 

Italy 8 7 )9S 

United Kingdom 142,143, 163 

Vocational training and rehabilitation of returned soldiers and sailors: 

Australia 10 13 14 

Austria-Hungary ' 15' ±q 

Canada 20-23, 26 ' 29 

France ' 35 

Germany ~_ 53, 60 

Italy 90 

New Zealand 107 

South Africa 117 

United Kingdom 147, 159, 163 

Wages, new method of payment of, by a British concern 169, 170 

Wages, regulation of : 

France 38 

Germany 61, 62, 72, 76 

International 84, S6 

Netherlands 107 

United Kingdom 126, 135, 146, 157, 162, 168, 170 

Wales, prices of cereals for 1919 guaranteed in 142 

Wales. (See also United Kingdom.) 
War materials, disposal and utilization of: 

Austria-Hungary 15 

France 48 

Germany 62, 69, 70 



188 INDEX. 

War materials, disposal and utilization of — Continued. 2»e». 

Italy 91 

United Kingdom 134, 135, 144, 149, 152, 164 

War memorials in England 157 

War risk cargo insurance, Great Britain . 138 

War savings organizations, British, continuance of 151,152 

War Trade Board, United States, statement of as to Alsatian potash 8 

War workers. (See Munition workers.) 

Warsaw, conferences of heads of Polish Government held in 110, 111 

Washington, D. C, meeting of committee of Pan American Federation 

of Labor in 109 

Water power. (See Power.) 

Waterways, use and improvement of: 

Germany 71 

United Kingdom 145 

Weekly day of rest. (See Hours of labor.) 

Whitley report, of British reconstruction committee on relations of em- 
ployers and employed, recommending formation of joint standing in- 
dustrial councils ; developments thereunder 126, 127, 146, 147, 161, 162, 168 

Women, employment of, international restrictions as to : 

Proposed by International Association 83,84 

Proposed by Peace Conference commission 85, 86 

Women war workers : 

Germany : 73 

Italy 88 

Wool, abolition of control over, in Great Britain , 141, 142 

Woolen and worsted industry in Great Britain 136 

Woolen fabrics, manufacture of, by Government, in Australia 13 

Woolen manufacture. (See Textile industry.) 

Working conditions and safety of workers : 

Germany . 56, 76 

International 83, 84 

United Kingdom 157, 161, 162 

Workmen's compenstation in Great Britain ; reimbursement by Govern- 
ment of losses of insurance companies due to greater liability of dis- 
abled men to serious accident 136 

Young Women's Christian Association foyers in France, continuance of, 
work by French 45 

o 



Deacidified using the Bookkeeper process 
Neutralizing agent: Magnesium Owde 
Treatment Date: JUN 4JU1 

PreservationTechnologies 

A«ORLD LEADER IN PAPER PRESERVAT.O. 

* 111 Thomson Park Dnve 

Cranberry Township, PA 16066 
(724) 779-2111 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 





007 694 145 2 • 



